Genetics

Question 1

Genes is …

Answer 1

• a unit of inheritance which consists of chemical instructions (DNA) which contribute to the development of an individual’s characteristics

Question 2

Neuroanatomy is …

Answer 2

• the structures of the nervous system (including brain) different parts of the nervous system have different functions

Question 3

Neurochemistry is …

Answer 3

• this concerns chemical processes in the brain and versus system messages are sent around the brain and body via neurons and via chemical messengers called neurotransmitters

Question 4

Evolution is …

Answer 4

• this concerns the way in which animals change over millions of years via genetic mutations

Question 5

What are the assumptions of the biological approach?

Answer 5

• everything psychological has a biological cause
• behaviour has a genetic basis
• treat psychological illnesses with treatments
  neurochemistry behaviour can be caused by neurotransmitters (serotonin and dopamine)
• human behaviour explained by localised areas of the brain function (brain structure = behavioural changes)

Question 6

Heredity is …

Answer 6

• the passing of characteristics from one generation to the next through genes

Question 7

How do characteristics develop?

Answer 7

• depends on how genes react with each other and their interaction with the environment
• nature nurture debate

Question 8

Genotype is …

Answer 8

• individuals genetic make up which occurs in conception
• dictates characteristics such as eye and hair colour

Question 9

Phenotype is …

Answer 9

• the product of what happens when the genotype interacts with the environment

Question 10

What is the SRY gene?

Answer 10

• gene switches on causing the foetus to develop testes
• testes release hormones causing embryo to develop as a male

Question 11

What happens if the SRY gene is not switched on/ present?

Answer 11

• genes are not switched on, no hormones released and foetus developed as female

Question 12

What are the two types of twins?

Answer 12

• monozygotic
• dizygotic

Question 13

Why are twin studies used?

Answer 13

• to measure if behaviour is a product of the environment or genetics

Question 14

Concordance rate is …

Answer 14

• likelihood of twin having a behaviour if the other does

Question 15

Which type of twins is concordance rate higher in?

Answer 15

• monozygotic is higher rat than dizygotic

Question 16

What are adoption studies?

Answer 16

• look at impact of nurture on children who were raised by adoptive parents
• no biological connection between parent & child, child grows up to share parents traits so therefore are produced by nurture

Question 17

What are two strengths of genetics?

Answer 17

• genetics research is scientifically tested = valid
• allowed for advances in understanding disorders gene mapping to discover potential disorders such as OCD

Question 18

What are two weaknesses of genetics?

Answer 18

• genes used to excuse behaviour removing responsibility - Lombroso criminals physical characteristics
• genes are not fully comprehensive account for behaviour as environment contributes