biological approach

Question 1

genes

Answer 1

units of heredity, which carry instructions coded in deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) from one generation to the next to control development and influence, for example personality and intelligence

Question 2

evolution

Answer 2

the consequence of the process of natural selection, such that offspring that have inherited beneficial characteristics are more likely to survive

Question 3

neurons

Answer 3

cells of the nervous system that are specialised for communication. They have a cell body, dendrites and an axon

Question 4

nervous system

Answer 4

the brain, spinal cord and ‘body’ neurons, which detect and process incoming sensory messages, make decisions, and send messages out to organs and tissues, such as glands and muscles, to coordinate the body

Question 5

synapse

Answer 5

the region of communication between neurons that is specialised to send and receive chemical messages

Question 6

hormones

Answer 6

chemicals that are released from glands and travel around the body in the blood to communicate between organs

Question 7

testosterone

Answer 7

a hormone released mainly by the testes, so is considered to be a ‘male’ hormone. It’s therefore an example of an androgen

Question 8

oestrogen

Answer 8

a hormone released mainly by the ovaries, so is considered to be a ‘female’ hormone