chapter 2

Question 1

Rene Descartes

Answer 1

French Philosopher
Argued that the universe is composed of two elements→
Physical matter which behaves according to the laws of nature and is thus a suitable object of scientific investigation
Human mind(soul,self or spirit) which lacks physical substance, controls human behavior, obeys no natural laws and is thus the appropriate purview of the Church

Question 2

Dualism/Monism

Answer 2

Idea that the human brain and the mind are separate entities
many to this day believe this

Question 3

Nature-nurture issue

Answer 3

The debate whether humans and other animals inherit their behavioral capacities(nature) or acquire them through learning(nurture)

Question 4

asomatognosia

Answer 4

a deficiency in the awareness of parts of one’s own body
typically involves the left side of the body and usually results from damage to the right parietal lobe

Question 5

Charles Darwin

Answer 5

Presented three kinds of evidence to support his assertion that species evolve
- documented the evolution of fossil records
- described structural similarities among live species
- point to major changes that had been brought about in domestic plants and animals by programs of selective breeding
-Most convincing evidence of evolution comes from direct observations of rapid evolution in progress for example the finches of Galapagos Islands

Question 6

On the Origin of Species

Answer 6

Darwin described his theory of evolution
Single most influential theory in the biological sciences

Question 7

Evolve

Answer 7

Undergo gradual orderly change

Question 8

Natural Selection

Answer 8

Members of each species vary greatly in their structure,physiology and behavior and that the heritable traits associated with high rates of survival and reproduction are most likely ones to be passed onto future generations

Question 9

Fitness

Answer 9

the ability of an organism to survive and contribute its genes to the next generation

Question 10

Species

Answer 10

Group of organisms reproductively isolated from other organisms; that is, the members of a species can produce fertile off- spring only by mating with members of the same species

Question 11

Brain Stem

Answer 11

Regulates reflex activities that are critical for survival
Heart rate, respiration and blood glucose level

Question 12

cerebrum

Answer 12

Involved in more complex adaptive processes such as learning, perception and motivation
The brain has increased in size during evolution

Question 13

convolutions

Answer 13

Folds on the cerebral surface
folds on the cerebral surface - has greatly increased the surface area of the cerebral cortex, the outermost layer of the cerebral tissue

Question 14

Polygyny

Answer 14

an arrangement in which one male forms mating bonds with more than one female

Question 15

Polyandry

Answer 15

A mating arrangement in which one female forms mating bonds with more than one male
Does not occur in mammals
It only occurs in species in which the contributions of the males to reproduction are greater than those of the females

Question 16

Monogamy

Answer 16

Mate-bonding pattern in which enduring bonds are formed between one male and one female
Is thought to have evolved in those mammalian species in which each female could raise more young, or more fit young, if she had undivided help

Question 17

Phenotype

Answer 17

Organism’s observable traits

Question 18

Genotype

Answer 18

Traits that it can pass on to its offspring through its genetic material are referred to as its genotype

Question 19

DNA

Answer 19

Deoxyribonucleic acid
Each strand is a sequence of nucleotide bases attached to a chain of phosphate and deoxyribose; there are four nucleotide bases → adenine,thymine,guanine and cytosine

Question 20

Proteins and amino acids

Answer 20

Proteins are long chains of amino acids; they control the physiological activities of cells and are important components of cellular structure

Question 21

Gene expression

Answer 21

The control of gene expression by enhances is an important process because it determines how a cell will develop and how it will function once it reaches maturity
transcription (copying)
translation(protein synthesis)

Question 22

Transcription factors

Answer 22

Proteins that bind to DNA and influence the extent to which genes are expressed are called transcription factors
Many transcription factors that control enhancers are influenced by signals received by the call from its environment

Question 23

Epigenetics

Answer 23

The study of all mechanisms of inheritance other than the genetic code and its expression
Alter gene expression without altering the code

Question 24

DNA Methylation

Answer 24

The reaction that occurs when a methyl group attached to a DNA molecule, usually at cytosine sites in mammals
Adding CH3 to Cytosine

Question 25

Histone Remodeling

Answer 25

Is the reaction that occurs when histones, proteins around which DNA is coiled, change their shape and in so doing influence the shape of the adjacent DNA- there are several different mechanisms by which this can occur
could happen in one events or multiple events
can either decrease or increase expression

Question 26

Histones

Answer 26

Proteins around which DNA is coiled

Question 27

Transgenerational epigenetics

Answer 27

Is a subfield of epigenetics that examines the transmission of experiences via epigenetic mechanisms across generations
There is some suggestive evidence that inheritance via transgenerational epigenetic mechanisms can also occur in humans