CH 2. Genetic and Environmental Foundations

Question 1

Allele

Answer 1

2 forms of genes located at the same place on corresponding pairs of chromosomes

Question 2

Autosomes

Answer 2

The 22 matching pairs of chromosones in each human cell

Question 3

Behavioral Genetics

Answer 3

A field devoted to uncovering the contributions of nature and nurture to the diversity of human traits and abilities

Question 4

Carriers

Answer 4

Heterozygous individuals who can pass a recessive trait to their offspring

Question 5

Coparenting

Answer 5

Parents’ mutual support of eachothers parenting behaviors

Question 6

Dominant-Recessive Inheritence

Answer 6

A pattern of inheritance in which, under heterozygous conditions, only one allele, called dominant, affects the child’s characteristics. The second allele, which has no effect, is called recessive.

Question 7

Epigenesis

Answer 7

Development resulting from ongoing, bidirectional exchanges between heredity and all levels of the environment.

Question 8

Fraternal or Dizygotic Twins

Answer 8

Twins resulting from the release and fertilization of two ova. They are genetically no more alike than ordinary siblings.

Question 9

Gametes

Answer 9

Sex cells Sperm/Ovum

Question 10

Gene

Answer 10

A segment of DNA along the length of the chromosome containing instructions for making proteins that contribute to body growth and functioning.

Question 11

Gene-Enviroment Correlation

Answer 11

The idea that individuals’ genes influence the environments to which they are exposed.

Question 12

Gene-Enviroment Interaction

Answer 12

The view that because of their genetic makeup, individuals differ in their responsiveness to qualities of the environment.

Question 13

Genetic Counseling

Answer 13

A communication process designed to help couples assess their chances of giving birth to a baby with a hereditary disorder and choose the best course of action in view of risks and family goals.

Question 14

Genomic Imprinting

Answer 14

A pattern of inheritance in which alleles are imprinted, or chemically marked, in such a way that one pair member is activated, regardless of its makeup.

Question 15

Genotype

Answer 15

An individuals genetic makeup

Question 16

Heritability Estimate

Answer 16

A statistic that measures the extent to which individual differences in complex traits, such as intelligence or personality, in a specific population are due to genetic factors.

Question 17

Heterozygous

Answer 17

Having two different alleles at the same place on a pair of chromosomes.

Question 18

Homozygous

Answer 18

Having two identical alleles at the same place on a pair of chromosomes.

Question 19

Identical or Monozygous Twin

Answer 19

Twins that result when a zygote that has started to duplicate separates into two clusters of cells with the same genetic makeup, which develop into two individuals.

Question 20

Incomplete Dominance

Answer 20

A pattern of inheritance in which both alleles are expressed in the phenotype, resulting in a combined trait, or one that is intermediate between the two.

Question 21

Kinship Studies

Answer 21

Studies that compare the characteristics of family members to determine the importance of heredity in complex human characteristics.

Question 22

Meiosis

Answer 22

The process of cell division through which gametes are formed, in which the number of chromosomes normally present in each cell is halved.

Question 23

Methylation

Answer 23

A biochemical process triggered by certain experiences, in which a set of chemical compounds (called a methyl group) lands on top of a gene and changes its impact, reducing or silencing its expression.

Question 24

Mutation

Answer 24

A sudden but permanent change in a segment of DNA.

Question 25

Niche-Picking

Answer 25

A type of gene–environment correlation in which individuals actively choose environments that complement their heredity.

Question 26

Phenotype

Answer 26

An individual’s directly observable physical and behavioral characteristics, which are determined by both genetic and environmental factors.

Question 27

Polygenic Inheritance

Answer 27

A pattern of inheritance in which many genes influence a characteristic.

Question 28

Prenatal Diagnostic Methods

Answer 28

Medical procedures that permit detection of developmental problems before birth.

Question 29

Zygote

Answer 29

The newly fertilized cell formed by the union of sperm and ovum at conception.

Question 30

Regulator Genes

Answer 30

Genes that modify the instructions given by protein-coding genes, greatly complicating their genetic impact.