Genetics & Behavior Flashcards
What is the genome?
The complete instructions for making an organism, consisting of all the genetic material in that organism?s chromosomes
What are chromosomes?
Threadlike structures of DNA molecules that contain the genes
DNA?
Deoxyribonucleic Acid ? a complex molecule containing genetic information that makes up the chromosomes
Genes?
The biochemical units of heredity that make up the chromosomes; a segment of DNA capable of synthesizing a protein
Nucleotides/Bases? And the relation between them?
Basic building blocks of RNA/DNA Nucleotides contain? A 5-carbon sugar (pentose) A nitrogen containing ring structure called a base Purines ? Adenine and Guanine Pyrimidines ? Thymine and Cytosine 1 2 or 3 Phosphate groups 3 Billion Base Pairs
What are mutations? How can they impact behavior (both for the positive and negative)?
Gene replication can cause mistakes
Random errors
Most are neutral, but accumulate over a generation and can be heritable
Can result in diseases or useful skills
What are the causal mechanisms behind Huntington?s disease and what are some of its major characteristics?
When a person has too many C A and G codons
Defective Gene
Affects muscle coordination, cognitive decline, and psychiatric problems. mid adult life.
What causes Williams syndrome? What are some key characteristics of the syndrome?
This occurs when there is a break in the DNA Molecule that makes up a chromosome
Elfin facial appearance, low nasal bridge, unusually cheerful demeanor, cardiovascular problems
Describe the research behind the FOXP2 gene and speech production.
Mutations in this gene can cause severe speech and language disorder
Key difference between humans and animals
What is behavior genetics?
Studying our differences and weigh the effects and interplay of heredity and environment
What are some of the major findings using twin and adoption studies?
The environment shared by a family?s children has virtually no discernable impact on their personalities
We discussed how people who commit violent crimes are likely to be influenced by both genes and their environment. Explain how Genes x Environment interaction best explains such behavior.
People can be born with gene mutations that increase likelihood of violence. “Heredity deals cards, environment plays the hand” people can change.
What are the research findings of raising rats in impoverished vs. enriched environments?
Rats raised in enriched environments proved to be better at problem solving tasks, increases brain power
