Introduction & Module 4.1 - Genetics & Evolution of Behaviour

Question 1

What is biological psychology?

Answer 1

The study of the psychological, evolutionary and developmental mechanisms of behaviour and experience

Question 2

What is the physiological explanation of behaviour?

Answer 2

It relates a behaviour to the activity of the brain and other organs.

Question 3

What is the ontogenetic explanation?

Answer 3

Describes how a structured or behaviour develops including the influence of genes, nutrition, experiences and their interactions.

Question 4

What is the evolutionary explanation?

Answer 4

Reconstructs the evolutionary history of a structure of behaviour (usually modified functions).

Question 5

What is the functional explanation?

Answer 5

Describes why a structure of behaviour has evolved as it did.

Question 6

What did Mendel demonstrate?

Answer 6

Mendel demonstrated that inheritance occurs through genes.

Question 7

What are genes?

Answer 7

Units of heredity that maintain their structural identity from one generation to another.

Question 8

How does DNA turn into proteins?

Answer 8

A strand of DNA serves as a model for the synthesis of ribonucleic acid (RNA) molecules, a single stranded molecule. DNA contains 4 bases - adenine, guanine, cytosine and thymine. The order of the bases determines the order of the bases of RNA - adenine, guanine, cytosine and uracil. The order of the RNA bases determines the order of the amino acids that creates a protein. Proteins consist of 20 amino acids and the order of those amino acids depends on the order of the DNA and RNA bases.

Question 9

What are the 4 bases for DNA?

Answer 9

adenine, guanine, cytosine, thymine

Question 10

What are the 4 bases for RNA?

Answer 10

adenine, guanine, cytosine, uracil

Question 11

What are proteins?

Answer 11

Proteins are made up of 20 amino acids. Proteins form parts of structures of the body or as enzymes (biological catalysts that regulate chemical reactions in the body).

Question 12

What functions does RNA have?

Answer 12

RNA provides code for proteins and some perform regulatory functions.

Question 13

What are homozygous genes?

Answer 13

Identical genes

Question 14

What are an unmatched pair of genes called?

Answer 14

Heterozygous

Question 15

What are the genes on the sex chromosome known as? What are other chromosomes/genes known as?

Answer 15

Sex-linked genes (X and Y)

Autosomal genes

Question 16

What are sex-limited genes

Answer 16

The genes are present on the autosomal chromosomes and are present in both sexes but mainly active in one sex (i.e. chest hair, breast size).

Question 17

What is mutation?

Answer 17

A heritable change in a DNA molecule i.e. changing one base leads to a change in amino acids. Mutation is also duplication or deletion. Duplication is where part of the chromosome appears twice and deletion is where part of the chromosome does not appear at all.

Question 18

What are microdeletions and microduplications?

Answer 18

When process happens to a tiny portion of chromosome. Microduplication or microdeletion may cause schizophrenia.

Question 19

What is epigenetics?

Answer 19

Changes in the genes expression. Various experiences can turn a gene on or off. Learning something means an increase in brain activity in certain genes in certain cells while decreasing other activity in others.

Question 20

What are histones?

Answer 20

Histones bind DNA into a shape like string wrapped around a ball. Histone molecules have loose ends to which certain chemical groups can attach. To activate a gene the DNA must partially unwind from the histones. The result of an experience alters the chemical environment within a cell.

Question 21

What is high heritability?

Answer 21

When variations in some differences depends largely on genetic differences. Traits with high heritability can be modified by the environment (i.e. phenylketonuria (PKU) - a genetic inability to metabolise phenylalanine (an amino acid). If a baby has PKU it is put on a low phenylalanine diet.

Question 22

What are monozygotic and dizygotic twins?

Answer 22

Mono - one egg twins

Di - two egg twins

Question 23

What do genes do?

Answer 23

Genes produce a protein that impacts on behaviour

Question 24

What is evolution? What is evolutionary psychology?

Answer 24

A change over generations in the frequencies of various genes in a population.
How behaviours are evolved.

Question 25

What is altruistic behaviour?

Answer 25

An action that benefits someone other than the actor.

Question 26

What are the biological explanations of behaviour?

Answer 26

Physiological
Ontogenetic
Evolutionary
Functional

Question 27

What is the physiological explanation of behaviour?

Answer 27

Relationship of behaviour to the brain and other organs. It deals with the machinery of the body.

Question 28

What is the ontogenetic explanation of behaviour?

Answer 28

Describes how a structure or behaviour develops, including the influence of genes, nutrition, experiences, and their interactions.

Question 29

What is the evolutionary explanation of behaviour?

Answer 29

Reconstructs the evolutionary history of a structure or behaviour. The characteristics of an animal are almost always modifications of something found in ancestral species.

Question 30

What is the functional explanation of behaviour?

Answer 30

Describes why a structure of behaviour has evolved as it did. Within a small, isolated population, a gene can spread by accident through a process called genetic drift. A gene that is prevalent in a large population probably provided some advantage.

Question 31

What is meant by “monoism”?

Answer 31

The idea that the mind is made of the same substance as the rest of the universe

Question 32

Of the following, which one is an example of an evolutionary explanation (as oposed to a functional explanation)?

a. People evolved a fear of snakes because many snakes are dangerous
b. Humans have a (tiny) tailbone because our ancient monkey-like ancestors had a tail
c. People evolved a tendency to form long-term male-female bonds because human infants benefit from the help of two parents during their long period of dependency
d. People evolved an ability to recognise faces because that ability is essential for cooperative social behaviours

Answer 32

b. Humans have a (tiny) tailbone because our ancient monkey-like ancestors had a tail

Question 33

Of the following, which is a reason favouring the use of animals in biological psychology research at solving human problems?

a. Nonhuman animals engage in all the same behaviours as humans
b. One human differs from another, but nonhumans are nearly the same as one another
c. The nervous system of nonhuman animals resembles that of humans in many ways

Answer 33

c. The nervous system of nonhuman animals resembles that of humans in many ways

Question 34

What does a “minimalist” favour with regards to animal research?

Select one:

a. All research should have a minimum of at least 10 animals per group
b. A minimum of three people should review each research proposal
c. Interference with animal research should be held to a minimum
d. Animal research is permissible but should be held to a minimum

Answer 34

d. Animal research is permissible but should be held to a minimum

Question 35

Which one is not one of the three Rs of animal research?

Select one:

a. Reduce
b. Refine
c. Reuse
d. Replace

Answer 35

c. Reuse

Question 36

Which of the following is false?

Select one:

a. A functional explanation describes why a structure or a behaviour evolved as it did
b. According to Kalat, there seems to be a significant degree of heritability in almost every behaviour Incorrect
c. A gene which shows its effects only in the homozygous condition is a recessive gene
d. Evolution benefits the individual more than the species

Answer 36

d. Evolution benefits the individual more than the species

Question 37

Suppose you have high sensitivity to the taste of PTC. If your mother also has high sensitivity, what (if anything) can you predict about your father’s taste sensitivity?

a. He has high taste sensitivity
b. We do not have enough information to make a prediction
c. He has low taste sensitivity

Answer 37

b. We do not have enough information to make a prediction

Question 38

Suppose you have high sensitivity to the taste of PTC. If your mother has low sensitivity, what (if anything) can we predict about your father’s taste sensitivity?

Select one:

a. He has high taste sensitivity
b. He has low taste sensitivity
c. We do not have enough information to make a prediction

Answer 38

a. He has high taste sensitivity

Question 39

What is a sex-limited gene?

Select one:

a. A gene on the X chromosome
b. A gene that sex hormones activate
c. A gene that becomes active during sexual activity
d. A gene on the Y chromosome

Answer 39

b. A gene that sex hormones activate

Question 40

Suppose someone identifies a “gene for” certain aspects of sexual development. In what ways might that statement be misleading?

Select one:

a. Many aspects of sexual development are not apparent until puberty
b. Almost any characteristic depends on many genes, as well as influences from the environment
c. The statement didn’t specify whether the gene was dominant or recessive

Answer 40

b. Almost any characteristic depends on many genes, as well as influences from the environment

Question 41

How does an epigenetic change differ from a mutation?

Select one:

a. An epigenetic change is beneficial, whereas a mutation in harmful
b. An epigenetic change is a duplication or deletion of part of a gene
c. An epigenetic gene change alters more than one gene at a time
d. An epigenetic change is an alteration of gene activity without structurally replacing any part of the gene itself

Answer 41

d. An epigenetic change is an alteration of gene activity without structurally replacing any part of the gene itself

Question 42

How does adding a methyl or acetyl group to a histone protein alter gene activity?

Select one:

a. A methyl group increases the probability of a maturation, whereas an acetyl group decreases the probability
b. A methyl group turns genes on. A acetyl group tightens histone’s grip and decreases gene activation
c. A methyl group decreases the probability of a maturation, whereas an acetyl group increases the probability
d. A methyl group turns genes off. A acetyl group loses histone’s grip and increases gene activation

Answer 42

d. A methyl group turns genes off. A acetyl group looses histone’s grip and increases gene activation

Question 43

Which of the following is not one of the main types of evidence to estimate the heritability of some behaviour

Select one:

a. Comparisons between monozygotic and dizygotic twins
b. Examination of identified genes that might vary between people showing one behaviour and another
c. Similarities between adopted children and their biological parents
d. Comparisons of people living in different cultures

Answer 43

d. Comparisons of people living in different cultures

Question 44

Suppose someone determines the heritability of IQ scores for a given population. The society changes in a way that provides the best possible opportunity for everyone within that population. How will the heritability of IQ change, if at all?

Select one:

a. Heritability will increase
b. Heritability will stay the same
c. Heritability will decrease

Answer 44

a. Heritability will increase

Question 45

The information about phenylketonuria (PKU) supports which of these conclusions?

Select one:

a. Each brain area controls a different behavioural function
b. A change in the environment can alter the effects of a gene
c. Epigenetic changes depend on methyl and acetate groups
d. Several genes active in the human brain are not found in other species

Answer 45

b. A change in the environment can alter the effects of a gene

Question 46

What, if anything, can we predict about the future of human evolution?

Select one:

a. People will get smarter, wiser and more cooperative
b. People will become more like whichever people tend to have the most children
c. People will not change, because evolution no longer affects humans

Answer 46

b. People will become more like whichever people tend to have the most children

Question 47

Which of these is the least acceptable explanation for how an altruistic gene might spread in a population?

Select one:

a. Selection for helping individuals who might return the favour
b. Selection for genes that benefit the species
c. Selection for groups that are more cooperative than other groups
d. Selection for a gene that benefits the individuals’ relatives

Answer 47

b. Selection for genes that benefit the species

Question 48

How does a sex-linked gene differ from a sex-limited gene?

Answer 48

A sex-linked gene is on the X or Y chromosome. A sex-limited gene is on an autosomal chromosome, but activated in one sex more than in the other.

Question 49

Suppose someone identifies a “gene for” certain aspects of sexual development. In what ways might that statement be misleading?

Answer 49

Almost any characteristic depends on more than one gene, as well as influences from the environment.

Question 50

How does an epigenetic change differ from a mutation?

Answer 50

A mutation is a permanent change in part of a chromosome. An epigenetic change is an increase or decrease in the activity of a gene or group of genes.

Question 51

How does adding a methyl or acetyl group to a histone protein alter gene activity?

Answer 51

Adding a methyl group turns genes off. An acetyl group loosens histone’s grip and increases gene activation.

Question 52

What are the main types of evidence to estimate the heritability of some behaviour?

Answer 52

One type of evidence is greater similarity between monozygotic twins than dizygotic twins. Another is resemblance between adopted children and their biological parents. A third is demonstration that a particular gene is more common than average among people who show a similar behaviour.

Question 53

What example illustrates the point that even if some characteristics is highly heritable, a change in the environment can alter it?

Answer 53

Keeping a child with the PKU gene on a strict low-phenylalanine diet prevents them from mental retardation that the gene ordinarily causes. The general point is that sometimes a highly heritable condition can be modified environmentally.

Question 54

Many people believe the human appendix is useless. Will it become smaller and smaller with each generation?

Answer 54

No. Failure to need a structure does not make it smaller in the next generation. The appendix will shrink only if people with a gene for a smaller appendix reproduce more successfully than other people do.

Question 55

What are plausible ways for possible altruistic genes to spread in a population?

Answer 55

Altruistic genes could spread because they facilitate care for one’s kin or because they facilitate exchanges of favour with others (reciprocal altruism). Group selection may also work under some circumstances, especially if the cooperative group has some way to punish or expel an uncooperative individual.

Question 56

What is a sex-limited gene?

Answer 56

A gene that sex hormones activate.