behavioral genetics Flashcards
what are the two types of behavioral programs according to ernst mayr
-closed: developmentally fixed
-open: developmentally flexible
what is a gene
unit of heredity
what is a locus
specific location on a chromosome
what is an allele
a gene variant
what is a genotype
description of alleles present in an individual
what is a phenotype
observable characters of an individual
what is a polygenic inheritance
inheritance of continuously variable traits influenced by multiple loci
what is an example of hybridization study
lovebirds
-hybrids cannot tuck properly = lose nest materials
-experience leads to modified behavior
-tucking is largely a closed behavior
what is quantitative trait loci (QTL)
stretches of DNA that are closely linked to a trait (often these include areas on different chromosomes for a given trait)
-knowing number of QTLs associated with a trait tells us roughly how many genes are associated with a triat
-can narrow search for candidate genes
what is artificial genetics
-selective breeding; analogous to natural selection, but human-imposed
-influenced by Darwin
-goldfish
-useful tool to examine many types of genetic questions
what are the effects of american foulbrood in honeybees
-resistance colonies uncap cells then remove diseased larvae
is the hygienic gene in honeybees recessive or dominant
homozygous for both recessive alleles (uurr)
is non-hygienic in honeybees recessive or dominant
wild type is dominant homozygous (UURR)
what is molecular genetics
study of the molecular structure and function of genes
how are fruit fly mutants (dunce) an example of molecular genetics
-deficient in olfactory learning
-lacks esterase that breaks down cyclic AMP
