For a long time, the fact that immigrants from Eastern Europe, Asia, and Latin America tended to be shorter than native-born Americans was taken as evidence that there were inherent racial differences between these populations. However, the immigrants had children who grew up to be as tall as anyone else, and geneticists now tell us that, while there can be considerable variation in height within a group due to genetics, height differences between groups are largely caused by diet. What does this demonstrate?
A) Race will always be an important way to understand physical traits.
B) There are essential differences between racial populations.
C) It is "natural" for different racial groups to avoid mixing.
D) Some physical features, like blood type, are correlated with race.
E) Racial differences are socially constructed and not genetic.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The fact that differences in height between different racial groups are caused by diet rather than inherent genetic differences demonstrates that racial differences are socially constructed and not genetic. This challenges the idea that there are essential differences between racial populations and that race will always be an important way to understand physical traits. It also does not support the idea that it is "natural" for different racial groups to avoid mixing or that physical features like blood type are strongly correlated with race.

For a Long Time, the Fact That Immigrants from Eastern