Evolution, genetics and experience Flashcards
Outline the mechanisms of gene expression.
Starnds of DNA unravel
A T C G
What are two main epigenetic changes that can occur?
Two changes are histone remodeling and DNA methylation.
What are histone remodeling?
Histone remodeling is modifications to a histone protein can either decrease or increase gene expression?
What is DNA methylation?
DNA methylation is the attachment of a methyl group to DNA tends to reduce the expression of adjacent genes.
Describe 3 classic examples of research on behavioral development, and how each illustrates gene–experience interaction.
Selective breeding of “maze-bright” and “maze-dull” rats.
Phenylketonuria: a single gene metabolic disorder
Development of birdsong
What’s Selective breeding of “maze-bright” and “maze-dull” rats.
Selective breeding of “maze-bright” and “maze-dull” rats is a study on putting the rats that made the least mistakes with the most mistakes and breaded them. Then after 7 generations, they made two different breeds.
What is Phenylketonuria: a single gene metabolic disorder?
Phenylketonuria: a single gene metabolic disorder is a inherited disorder where the toxic levels build up and affect the brains development. Could be helped entirely on a special diet.
Explain heritability estimates and how they are commonly misinterpreted.
The heritability estimates are due to differences in heredity.
There is never just one reason to why someone has a certain trait. Many genes due to nature and nurture impact things.
Describe the twin studies we discussed, their strengths and weaknesses, and what they tell us about the interaction of genes and experience (i.e., nature and nurture).
The more dna people share, the higher heritability. So identical twins will share trait differently from fraternal.
Child that is adopted will still have similar IQ to biolgical parents no matter the environment. Could be genes or prenatal influence.
Describe Darwin’s evidence towards evolution
Fossil evidence of evolutioin
Structural similarities
Impact of selective breeding
Finches physically change after a drastic season of drought
In what ways has the human brain evolved?
Brain size correlates with body size
Human brain has increased in size
Most of the increase occurs in the cerebrum
What is a sex-limited gene? What are examples of each (sex-linked and sex-limited)?
Sex limited genes is present in both sexes but only has effect in one sex.
Men and women both have the trait to gain boobs and chin hair but only certain sexes do
How could genes possibly affect behavior?
Altering neurotransmitter system and other chemical influence how an individual process information
Certain genes link to behaviors or disorders
Certain genes are more common with people of depression
In what ways does the concept of epigenetics blur the supposed line between nature and nurture?
Things that happen by environment change your genes so it is not necessarily one thing, it is nature and nurture.
