gene x environment interaction Flashcards
Differentiate between the terms genotype and phenotype
Geno- individual’s collection of genes that indicates genes are present in a phenotype
Pheno- apparent observable characteristics of the individual as a product of environmental and genetic influences
What is phenotypic plasticity?
The degree to which the phenotype is influenced by the environment.
What are examples of traits that have low or high phenotypic plasticity?
Low plasticity- some traits will have low plasticity e.g. eye colour as genotype exerts a strong influence on this
High plasticity- genotype has less influence
What can variants within individual genes lead to?
Phenotypic variability
What is heritability?
The degree of variation in a phenotypic trait in a population that is due to genetic variation between the individuals in that population
What is environmentality?
The extent to which variations within a population are attributable to environmental factors
What is the difference between shared and non shared environmental effects?
Shared- refers to aspects of the environment that make children in the same family more similar compared to children reared in different families
Non shared- refers to aspects that make children of the same family different
What is the Wilson Effect?
Increase in heritability for IQ with age, meaning that as person becomes more independent, effective experiences become more self selected.
What is the Flynn Effect?
IQ is rising over time (3 points every decade, 21 since 1950) due to increases in education, reduction in family size etc
What do adoption studies e.g. by Rutter show about gene environment interaction?
InterPLAY rather than an interaction e.g. genes may predispose you to a risky environment
What is the A,C,E model used in twin studies?
A- additive genetic
C- common environment
E- specific environment and error
Bayley scale at 10 months at 2 years- at 2 years, genes accounted for 50% in SES families
What did Caspi et al. (2003) investigate about genes and life events?
Wanted to investigate why not everyone develops depression after stressful life events. Found that the probability of major depression later in life was double for those with ‘s;; allele compared to ‘l’ allele among young people w histories of maltreatment. However replication is needed.
What other evidence has been found in relation to allele length?
Caplan et al 2021- found an interaction between allele length and responsive parenting interaction
