Biological approach

Question 1

Key assumption of the biological approach

Answer 1

can explain behaviour mainly in terms of biological factors

studies to the extent which behaviours are determined by genetics (studies how genes affect processes inside the brain, then determines behaviour)

2 key biological factors influence behaviour : genetic inheritance, evolution

Question 2

genetic inheritence

Answer 2

when traits are passed down from parent to child

Question 3

chromosomes in a cell

Answer 3

46 chromosomes (23 pairs), made up of DNA (chain of two or more nucleotides joined together)

each cell exactly the same DNA

Question 4

How is DNA divided

Answer 4

into segments (genes)
each gene controls the producion of one specific protein, these control our physical traits

Question 5

alleles

Answer 5

different versions of a gene

different alleles - genetic variation

Question 6

sex cells

Answer 6

male - sperm
female - egg

only have 23 chromosomes

reproductions - sperm and egg combines to form a new cell, 23 pairs of chromosomes

how traits passed down

Question 7

genotype

Answer 7

genetic code in DNA of individuals chromosome

Question 8

phenotype

Answer 8

physical appearance, influenced by genotype and environment

Question 9

how is phenotype determined

Answer 9

by both genotype and environmental factors

Question 10

one gene responsible for any given behaviour

Answer 10

unlikely, more likely caused by a combination of lots of different genes, environmental factors have a bigger impact on behaviour than they do on physical traits

Question 11

why do researchers use twin studies

Answer 11

to investigate the extent to which behaviour is caused by genotype or environmental factors

these studies compare the phenotypes of monozygotic twins and dizygotic twins

Question 12

monozygotic twins