chapter 3 unit 1- the forces that shape development: nature and nurture Flashcards
what is heredity?
the transmission of genes from parents to offspring
pairs of chemical molecules that act as a code for genetic information
DNA
rodlike structures in the nucleus that house genes
chromosomes
coded instructions of heredity located on the DNA of each chromosome
genes
what is a genetic disorder
problems caused by defective genes
traits or characteristics influenced by many genes working in combination
polygenic characteristics
what is nurture
the sum of all external conditions that effect development
a harmful substance that can cause birth defects
teratogens
defects that originate during the prenatal development
congenital problems
occurs in children who’s mothers consumed alcohol during pregnancy
fetal alcohol spectrum disorder
when a baby is born it has fewer ____________ and ___________
dendrites and synapses
a plastic brain is…
capable of being altered by experience
-time when we are more susceptible to some environmental influences
-can alter development
sensitive period
lack of normal nutrition, stimulation, comfort, or love
deprivation
exists when an environment is made more stimulating, nutritional, comforting, and loving
enrichment
study of changes in organism caused by modifications to gene expression rather than alteration of genetic code
epigenetics
two ways epigenetics work
- how dna is read
-how dna is packaged
methyl groups tag certain genes which will instruct the cell to turn genes on or off to create the kind of cell needed
how dna is read
when dna is wound tightly around a histone, it’s hard for genes to express themselves; when it’s loose, it’s much easier to do
how dna is packaged
