5

• Physical self


  Crucial aspect of the self, shaped by biological and environmental factors, surrounded by issues associated with health, hygiene, nutrition, and standards of beauty
• Questions concerning the physical self


  • Am I beautiful/handsome?
  • Do people find me attractive?
  • What can I do to enhance my features?
• Heredity


  Transmission of traits from parents to offspring, made up of specific information embedded within one's genes
• Genotype


  Specific information embedded within one's genes
• Phenotype


  Physical expression of a particular trait
• Each individual carries 23 pairs of chromosomes, with the 23rd pair determining the sex of the individual
• DNA


  Blueprint of life, triggers physical growth and maturation of organisms
• Maturation


  Completion of growth of a genetic character within an organism or the unfolding of the inherent traits of a person
• Environmental conditioning


  Environmental influences that shape your physical self, including social networks, societal expectations, and cultural practices
• Family is also primarily responsible for environmental conditioning of the physical self
• Chromosomes


  Threadlike bodies in the nucleus of the cell and the storage unit of genes
• DNA


  Deoxyrybonucleic acid, considered as the blueprint of life
• DNA sample is the most crucial material in establishing paternity or maternity or identifying the suspect in a crime
• Body type


  A person's physical appearance, which is often influenced by contemporary media portrayals of ideal body types
• Tips for taking care of yourself and your body


  • Healthy eating
  • Healthy lifestyle
  • Proper hygiene
  • Being confident
• Some adolescents may resort to unhealthy habits just to achieve the ideal body type. There has been a steady rise of teenagers who have eating disorders, including

  BULIMIA (binge-eating) and ANOREXIA NERVOSA (not eating). A substantial number have been resorting to COSMETIC SURGERY to alter certain facial or body features, even among adolescents.
• The physical self is not only limited to what is seen by the naked eye. Underneath the skin is a dynamic system of biological and chemical processes that contribute to one’s physical features. Body structure, height, weight, skin color, hair color, and other physical characteristics do not just develop at random; these are triggered by genetic transformations and biological development through HEREDITY.
• GENE

  the basic unit of heredity.