Which term refers to the natural changes occurring in a person due to their genetic predisposition?

The correct term that refers to the natural changes occurring in a person due to their genetic predisposition is maturation. Maturation involves the biological and physiological changes that occur as a person ages, largely driven by genetic factors. This process includes developmental milestones, such as moving from infancy to childhood, and encompasses features like increased physical abilities, cognitive development, and social skills that emerge in a predictable sequence, influenced by genetic programming.

Development, while related, is a broader concept that includes both genetic predispositions and environmental influences on growth and learning over a person’s lifespan. Adaptation refers to how individuals adjust to new conditions or changes in their environment, incorporating behaviors learned from experiences. Growth typically refers to the increase in size or mass, which can occur alongside maturation but does not encompass the full range of qualitative changes associated with maturation. Thus, maturation is the most specific and accurate term for the natural changes dictated mainly by genetics.