Chapter 3 Genetics & Evolutionary Foundations of Behavior

Question 1

Evolution

Answer 1

= long-term adaptive process (spanning generations) which equips each species for life in its ever-changing natural habitat

= changes in gene frequency between populations

Question 2

gene

Answer 2

component of long molecules of a substance called DNA that
-> codes for a particular protein

GENES = basic UNITS of HEREDITY
(BESTANDTEILE / ELEMENTE von VERERBUNG)

Question 3

genotype

Answer 3

the set of genes inherited by the individual

Question 4

phenotype

Answer 4

the observable properties of an individual`s body & behavior

Question 5

chromosomes

Answer 5

structures within cell nucleus that contain the genetic material (DNA)

Question 6

mitosis

Answer 6

cell division (involved in normal body growth), produces cells that are genetically identical to each other

Question 7

meiosis

Answer 7

(mEIosis) -> EIER

cell divison (involved in producing egg / sperm cells), results in cells that are genetically dissimilar & that each contain only half the number of chromosomes (of the original cell)

Question 8

zygote

Answer 8

single cell that is formed when egg & sperm cell unite

• > the first, single-cell form of a newly developing individual
• > through mitosis zygote grows into a new person

Question 9

identical twins

Answer 9

2 individuals who are genetically identical to each other bc they originated from a single zygote (fertilized egg)

also called monozygotic twins

Question 10

fraternal twins

Answer 10

2 individuals who are not genetically identical to each other bc they originated from 2 seperate zygotes (fertilized eggs)

-> they are as gentically (un)similar as other siblings are to each other

but they develop simultaneously in the same womb

also called dizygotic twins

Question 11

alleles

Answer 11

diff. genes that can occupy the same locus on a pair of chromosomes
- > can potentially pair with one another

Question 12

dominant gene / allele

Answer 12

produces its observable effect even if person is heterozygous for that gene

Question 13

recessive gene / allele

Answer 13

produces its observable effect only if indivual is homozygous for that gene

Question 14

polygenic characteristics

Answer 14

MANY genes affect characteristic / trait

• > differences at many gene loci + environmental differences interact
• > a lof of DIFFERENT DEGREES of characteristics

f. ex. aggressiveness
- > (measured) scores for characteristics diplayed in a normal distribution (bell-shaped, frequency of scores tapers of symmetrically at both sides, so most ind. fall in the middle range and then some are very aggressive and some not aggressive at all)

Question 15

normal distribution

Answer 15

bell-shaped frequency distribution
(mean, median & mode identical)

frequency of scores tapers of symmetrically on both sides

Question 16

selective breeding

Answer 16

mating of individuals who manifest (aufweisen) specific characteristic to affect gene(tic makeup) of future generations

-> trait can be strengthened / weakened gradually over generations

• > can be done (un)deliberately
• > can be done to assess heritability

Question 17

Epigenetics

Answer 17

epigenetic mechanisms determine which genes get activated and which don`t

-> every cell has same DNA but only some of it is active
F.Ex. every cell contains genes to grow eyes but they don`t grow on our liver

EPIGENETICS:
field that examines GENE-REGULATING ACTIVITY (with no changes to actual DNA, genes just get turned “on” and “off”)
that can have lasting effects for one or more generations

Question 18

artificial selection

Answer 18

= selective breeding deliberately done by humans

animals / plants change according to our wishes

humans have been doing this for a long time which led Darwin to the theory that this occurs in nature as well

Question 19

natural selection

Answer 19

= selective breeding due to changes in environment(al conditions)

animals / plants adapt due to obstacles in environment
(f.ex. predators, limited food supplies)

those with characteristics helping them to overcome these obstacles more likely to survive & reproduce

• > genes inherited to next generation and so on
• > individuals adapt to environment(al conditions)

Question 20

mutations

Answer 20

errors that (occasionally & unpredictably) occur during DNA replication

-> “replica” different from original

(-> mutations original source of all genetic variability)

Question 21

naturalistic fallacy

Trugschluss, Denkfehler, Irrtum

Answer 21

mistaken belief that everything that is natural (& particularly whatever is a product of natural selection) is right / good / moral

(belief that “natural” = “right”)

f. ex. “natural selection promotes self interested struggle among individuals -> selfishness is natural and right”

BUT Nature is not good / bad, moral / immoral
-> humans put these judgements on it

Question 22

functionalism

Answer 22

explains functions ( / adaptive purposes) of mental processes & behavior

-> what do they do to promote survival & reproduction for individual

Question 23

distal explanations (of behavior)

Answer 23

explains behavior on an evolutionary level
-> how did behavior evolve through evolution, how did & does it help ind. to survive and reproduce

=> FUNCTION of behavior
=> WHY is behavior there?

( => survival / reproductive function of behavior )

Question 24

proximate explanations (of behavior)

Answer 24

how do mechanisms within individual (inside) or immediate environment(al conditions) (outside) elicit behavior

=> MECHANISMS of behavior
=> HOW does behavior occur?

=> stimuli & pysiological mechanisms through which behavior occurs

Question 25

vestigial characteristics / traits

Answer 25

traits that still remain but no longer have a function

F.Ex. Body hair (in the past a lot, made us seem bigger in front of enemy)

Question 26

adaptation

Answer 26

universal (& reliably developing) inherited feature that arose as a result of natural selection & helped to solve some problem of survival but has NO FUNCTION itself

F. Ex. Navel -> byproduct of umbilical cord, has no function itself

Question 27

species-typical behavior

Answer 27

behavior pattern that is so characteristic for species that it can help identify it

f. ex. humans smiling, talking, two-legged walking

USED IN BOOK INSTEAD OF “INSTINCT” (bc its definition is not clear)