Genes and Behavior Flashcards
DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid)
A large molecule that contains genes.
The vast majority of DNA (98%) is not genetic because it does not code for proteins.
Chromosome
A coiled-up thread of DNA.
23 from each parent, and then you end up with a pair of 23 chromosomes (a total of 46 individual chromosomes)
Genome
All the genetic information in DNA. Carry entire ancestral history.
Even when the genome is established, many genes can still get turned on and off from experience.
Genotype
The entire genetic makeup of an organism.
Phenotype
An organism’s observed characteristics.
Genes
Small segments of DNA that contain information for producing proteins.
Genes play an important role in shaping how you think and feel.
Polygenic
The process by which many genes interact to create a single characteristic.
Any characteristics that cannot be placed in a small number of category and range from a little to a lot is polygenic. All psychological and physical traits in humans are polygenic.
Monogenic
The hereditary passing on of traits determined by a single gene.
Traits that have a one-to-one connection to a gene. Humans have very few traits that result from a single gene.
DNA, CHROMOSOMES, AND THE HUMAN CELL
Every cell in the human body contains the same genetic material distributed in 23 pairs of chromosomes.
Mutation
A random change in genetic sequence.
Alleles
different forms of a gene.
Dominant Alleles
Alleles that show their effect even if there is only one allele for that trait in the pair.
Recessive alleles
Alleles that show their effects only when both alleles are the same.
Behavioral genetics
The scientific study of the role of heredity in behavior
Three principles of behavioral genetics relevant to psychology
1) The connection between Genes and Behavior is complex
2) The relative effects of Genes and Environment can be teased apart (Heritability)
3) The environment can change gene expression (Epigenetics)
