Chapter 3C Vocab Flashcards
behavior genetics
study of the relative power and limits of genetic and environmental influences on behavior
environment
every nongenetic influence, from prenatal nurtition, to the people and things around us
chromosones
threadlike structures made of DNA molecules that contain the genes
DNA
(deoxyribonucleic acid)
a complex molecule containing the genetic infomrmation that makes up the chromosones
genes
the biochemical units of heredity that make up the chromosones; segments of DNA capable of synthesizing a protein
genome
the complete instructions for making an organism, consisting of all the genetic material in that organism’s chromosomes
identical twins
twins who develop from a single fertilized egg that splits in two, creating two genetically identical organisms
fraternal twins
twins who develop from separate fertilized eggs. they are genetically no closer than brothers and sisters, but they share a fetal environment
heritability
the proporrtion of variation among individuals that we can attribute to genes. the heritability of a trait may vary, depending on the range of populations and environments studied
interaction
the interplay that occurs when the effect of one factor (i.e. environment) depends on another factor (i.e. heredity)
molecular genetics
the subfield of biology that studies the molecular structure and function of genes
evolutionary psychology
study of the roots of behavior and mental processes using the principles of natural selection
natural selection
principle that among the range of inherited trait variations, those contributing to reproduction and survival will most likely be passed on to succeeding generations.
mutation
a random error in gene replication that leads to a change
