Chapter 3: Genetics & Evolutionary Foundations of Behaviour

Question 1

Define genome.

Answer 1

The complete set of genetic material in an organism.

Question 2

Define DNA.

Answer 2

The molecule that carries genetic information.

Question 3

Define chromosome.

Answer 3

A structure made of DNA and proteins that contains genes.

Question 4

Define gene.

Answer 4

A segment of DNA that codes for a protein or trait.

Question 5

Define allele.

Answer 5

A variant form of a gene.

Question 6

Distinguish between gene and allele.

Answer 6

A gene is a segment of DNA, while an allele is a specific variant of that gene.

Question 7

What does it mean for an allele to be dominant?

Answer 7

A dominant allele expresses its trait even in the presence of a different allele.

Question 8

What does it mean for an allele to be recessive?

Answer 8

A recessive allele expresses its trait only when two copies are present.

Question 9

Define genotype.

Answer 9

The genetic makeup of an organism.

Question 10

Define phenotype.

Answer 10

The observable traits of an organism.

Question 11

Distinguish between genotype and phenotype.

Answer 11

Genotype refers to genetic makeup, while phenotype refers to observable traits.

Question 12

What is homozygous genotype?

Answer 12

A genotype with two identical alleles for a trait.

Question 13

What is heterozygous genotype?

Answer 13

A genotype with two different alleles for a trait.

Question 14

How do genes affect behaviour?

Answer 14

Genes can influence the development of traits that affect behaviour.

Question 15

Explain the interaction between genes and environment.

Answer 15

Genes and environment interact to shape behaviour and traits through complex processes.

Question 16

What is a candidate gene study?

Answer 16

A research approach that focuses on specific genes believed to be associated with a trait.

Question 17

What are the limitations of candidate gene studies?

Answer 17

They may overlook other genes and environmental factors that contribute to traits.

Question 18

What does it mean to knock down or knock out a gene?

Answer 18

To reduce or eliminate the expression of a gene to study its function.

Question 19

How does knocking down or knocking out a gene help us understand its effects?

Answer 19

It allows researchers to observe changes in behaviour or traits resulting from the absence of the gene.

Question 20

What are genome-wide association studies?

Answer 20

Studies that look for associations between genetic variants and traits across the entire genome.

Question 21

What are the limitations of genome-wide association studies?

Answer 21

They may not establish causation and can be influenced by population structure.

Question 22

Describe the diathesis-stress model.

Answer 22

A model that explains how predisposition and stress can lead to psychological disorders.

Question 23

Describe the differential susceptibility model.

Answer 23

A model suggesting that some individuals are more sensitive to both positive and negative environmental influences.

Question 24

Define gene expression.

Answer 24

The process by which information from a gene is used to synthesize a functional gene product.

Question 25

What factors can influence gene expression?

Answer 25

Environmental factors, epigenetic changes, and regulatory mechanisms can influence gene expression.

Question 26

What is epigenetic change?

Answer 26

A heritable change in gene expression that does not involve changes to the underlying DNA sequence.

Question 27

Provide an example of epigenetic change.

Answer 27

DNA methylation is an example of an epigenetic change.

Question 28

Summarize research on epigenetic changes in maternal care in rats.

Answer 28

Research shows that variations in maternal care can lead to epigenetic changes affecting offspring behaviour.

Question 29

Define behavioural genetics.

Answer 29

The study of the role of genetic and environmental influences on behaviour.

Question 30

Define heritability.

Answer 30

A statistic that estimates the proportion of variation in a trait attributable to genetic factors.

Question 31

How can heritability estimates be interpreted?

Answer 31

Higher heritability indicates a greater genetic contribution to trait variation.

Question 32

How can twin studies help study heritability?

Answer 32

They compare similarities between identical and fraternal twins to estimate genetic influence.

Question 33

What are the limitations of twin studies?

Answer 33

They may not account for shared environmental factors and can be influenced by the representativeness of the sample.

Question 34

Distinguish between artificial selection and natural selection.

Answer 34

Artificial selection is human-directed breeding, while natural selection is the process by which organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and reproduce.

Question 35

What are the three components that contribute to evolution by natural selection?

Answer 35

Variation, competition, and differential survival and reproduction.

Question 36

Define adaptation.

Answer 36

A trait that enhances an organism’s fitness in its environment.

Question 37

Define differential fitness.

Answer 37

The varying ability of individuals to survive and reproduce based on their traits.

Question 38

What is functionalism?

Answer 38

A perspective in psychology that emphasizes the purpose of mental processes and behaviour.

Question 39

Distinguish between distal and proximate explanations of behaviour.

Answer 39

Distal explanations focus on evolutionary history, while proximate explanations focus on immediate causes.

Question 40

What is the need to belong?

Answer 40

The intrinsic motivation to form and maintain strong interpersonal relationships.

Question 41

Why did the need to belong emerge?

Answer 41

It likely evolved to enhance survival through social cooperation and support.