Chapter 4 - Genetics & Evolution Flashcards
pairs of duplicated chromosomes, x like structure
chromotids
long strands of genetic material found in nuclei of all cells
chromosomes
complex molecule that is the main ingredient of chromosomes, forms the code for all genetic information
DNA
place where two chromatids meet
contromere
sections of DNA that code for specific proteins
genes
complete set of instructions for making an organism
genome
consists of events and conditions inside an organism
chemical environement
consists of events and conditions in the outside world
external environment
entire set of genes inherited by an organism
genotype
observable property that comes from a genotype
phenotype
idea that units of heredity come in pairs and one pair can dominate another
Mendelian heredity
pairs of genes located in the same position on a pair of chromosomes in a unit of heredity
alleles
having identical pairs of alleles
homozygous
having non-identical pairs of alleles
heterozygous
genes that supress the expression of the other gene in a pair of alleles
dominant
genes that are suppressed by another in a pair of alleles
recessive
cell formed from the combination of a sperm and egg
zygote
what are our reproductive cells
how much genetic info do they contain
gamates, egg and sperm cells, contain half genetic information of other body cells, 23 chromosomes
twins that come from a single zygote
monozygotic
twins that come from two separate zygotes
dizygotic
reproductive cells in an organism
gamates
cell division in which chromosomes duplicate then cell divides twice, resulting in 4 new cells
meiosis
cell division in which chromosomes duplicate then cells divide once, creating two cells genetically identical to original cell
mitosis
group of genes acting together, most traits correspond to one
gene complexes
coming from the interaction of several genes
polygenic
traits like height, weight, and skin color that have a range of possible values
continuous traits
refers to process by which mate is chosen
sexual selection
process by which pairs of organisms of the same species with desirable characterists are mated in order to select for those characteristics
selective breeding
field of study that emphasizes analysis of effects of genes and environment on behavior and mental processes
behavioral genetics
examples of traits with high and low heritability
high - eye color, hapiness, schizophrenia
low - intelligence
describes the degree to which a trait is able to be passed on genetically
heritability
TF heritability tells us the percentage to which a trait is caused by genetics
F
TF heritability tells us the percentage to which variation among individuals can be attributed to genetic influence
T
Field of study emphasizing analysis of molecular structure and function of genes
molecular genetics
branch involved with explaining the development of human mind and behavior by studying how adaptive behaviors helped human ancestors survive and reproduce
evolutionary psychology
refers to the ability to adjust and function according to one’s environment
adaptive
set of innate traits in humans
infant reflexes
useful traits acquired by an organism
acquired characteristics
concept that contrasts with natural selection in that humans are involved in selecting desired characteristics to pass on to an organism’s offspring
artificial selection
used to selectively breed livestock
artificial selection
ability to walk on two legs
bipedalism
increase in brain size
encephalization
development of a species
phylogeny
phylogeny of the human brain evolved far more quickly than the brains of other species
instinctive or characteristic ways of behaving particular to a certain species
special typical behaviors
extent to which biological features evolved to promote certain traits
biological preparedness
humans are biologically prepared to walk on teo legs
tendency for an organism to revert back to instincitive behaviors after being trained to have new behaviors
instinctual drift
consists of the time, energy, and risk involved in producing and raising offspring
parental investment
theory that society and culture evolved toward higher forms through the process of individuals adapting to hardship by either adapting and surviving or falling by the wayside
social Darwinism
Moore argued that Herbert Spencer commited ____ in his theory of social Darwinism
the naturalistic fallacy
the claim that whatever is natural or good is right
naturalistic fallacy
claim that traits and behaviors can be explained entirely by genetics
deterministic fallacy
examples of continuous traits
skin, eye, and hair color
examples of polygenic traits
eye color, height
theory proposed by Jean-Baptiste de Lamark
evolution is based on the inheritance of acquired useful characteristics, explains evolution but not inheritance
difference between Darwin and Lemark’s views
Darwin believed that inheritance does not happen because certain traits are useful, but because the usefulness of the traits helps the organism survive and reproduce so the traits are passed on
why does diversity occur
traits develop by chance because there’s a genetic reshuffling during meiosis and fertilization and because of mutations during DNA replication
what is the role of learning in species-typical behavior
some behaviors are based on predispositions and only become expressed as a result of learning (e.g. walking, language)
how does biology control what we learn, as well as how and when
level of biological preparedness determines how physically prepared we are for certain behaviors (like walking)
what are some fallacies about evolution
naturalistic fallacy says that natural=good
deterministic fallacy says that all behavior is determined by genes
differential parental investment theory
mating patterns depend on gender differences in the amount of parental investment. More invested gender is pickier, less invested gender has to compete for mating privileges
6 universally recognized emotions
surprise, fear, disgust, sadness, anger, happiness
