Chapter 4 Flashcards
Nature
Biological implications in behaviour
Nurture
Environmental impacts in behaviour
Genes
Major unit of heredity
Heritability
Variability in Behavioural traits Accounted by genetic factors
Epigenetics
Study of heritable changes in gene expression that does not involves changes in DNA sequence.
What does Epigenetic research do?
Tries to understand the influence on genes on behaviour and mental processes
Evolutionary Approach
Explains how our brains and behaviours have been caused by the physical and social environment.
Natural Selection Theory
Ability for a species to adapt to its environment, find food and mate to survive.
Behavioural Genetics
Science of how genetics and environment work together to influence behaviour.
Quantitative Genetics
Scientific discipline in which similarities among individuals are analyzed based in how biologically related they are.
Monozygotic Twins
Identical twins resulted from a simple zygote. They share 100% of their DNA
Dizygotic Twins
Fraternal Twins resulted from 2 zygotes. Share 50% of their DNA
Difference in height between identical and fraternal twins?
Identical twins are almost perfects similar for height
Fraternal Twins are not identical and fluctuate more than identical twins.
Heritability Coefficient
Measures how strongly differences among individuals are related to differences among their genes
0 to 1. 1 being most similar
Survival Adaptation
Traits or behaviours that helped out ancestors to handle the “hostile forces of nature”
Reproduction Adaptations
Traits of behaviours that allow us to compete for and find mates in order to reproduce
Gene Selction Theory
Evolution occurs through the desire for gene replication(to have offspring)
How do genes boost replicative success
- Influence the odds of survival and reproduction of the organisms
- Influence organisms who are like them to survive and reproduce
Physiological Adaptation
Mechanisms of the mind that have evolved to solve specific problems of survival or reproduction. Example: Jealousy
Physiological Adaptations
Adaptations that occur in the body as a consequence of one’s environment. Example: Increased melanin production in people who live close to the equator
Epigenetics
Study of changes in organisms caused by modification of gene expression rather than alteration of gene code itself
Epigenome
Record of chemical changes to the DNA and hoist one proteins of an organism. These changes can be passes down to an organism via trans generational epigenetic inheritance
Phenotypic Plasticity
The ability of one genotypes to produce more than one phenotype when exposed to different environmental conditions
4 types of naturally occurring DNA nitrogenous bases
Adenine, Cytosine, Guanine and Thymine
HAT enzyme acetylation is associated with
DNA demethylation
Gene Activation
Increased gene expression
HDAC enzyme acetylation is associated with
DNA methylation
Gene Silencing
Decreased gene expression
Chromosomes
Made up of strands of DNA which grouped into genes
Genes
Basic biological unit that transmits characteristics from one generation to the next
Instinct
Complex inborn patterns of behaviours that help ensure survival and reproduction
