Module 10

Question 1

behavior genetics

Answer 1

study human differences and weigh the effects and interplay of heredity and the environment

Question 2

identical (monozygotic) twins

Answer 2

develop from a single fertilized egg; genetically (and physically) identical; variation may occur due to different # of copies of genes or advantages of different placentas (if they didn’t share one)

Question 3

fraternal (zygotic) twins

Answer 3

develop from 2 separate eggs; genetically as similar as siblings

Question 4

separated twins

Answer 4

often have similar physical attributes, personality, abilities, attitudes, interests, and fears; slightly less than non-separated identical twins; environment contributes to beliefs not personality

Question 5

adopted children

Answer 5

usually thrive bc families are screened before adoption; usually better if adopted at birth

Question 6

temperament

Answer 6

emotional reactivity/exciteability; innate (genetic); remains consistent over lifetime

Question 7

dimensions of temperament

Answer 7

activity, rhythmicity (predictability in routines), approach/withdrawal (timidness), adaptability, intensity, mood, persistence/attention span, distractibility, sensory threshold (sensitivity)

Question 8

heritability

Answer 8

amount of variation in the pop that can be explained by genetic factors; doesn’t tell proportion for which genes contribute to an individual’s traits or differences between groups; with the same environment = 100%

Question 9

adaptability of traits

Answer 9

some traits develop the same in every environment but others are only expressed in particular environment (ex: callused feet)

Question 10

molecular genetics

Answer 10

“bottom-up;” subfield of bio that studies molecular structure and function of genes

Question 11

molecular behavior genetics

Answer 11

study of how the structure and function of genes interact with our environment to influence behavior; find genes that work together to to create traits

Question 12

epigenetics

Answer 12

studies molecular mechanisms by which environments can trigger/block genetic expression

Question 13

epigenetic marks

Answer 13

organic methyl molecules attached to part of the DNA strand; created by experiences and factors including diet, drugs, childhood trauma, poverty, malnutrition, and stress; instructs cell to respond in a certain way to DNA strand

Question 14

heredity of epigenetic marks

Answer 14

can be passed down; one’s health/well-being could be affected by stress or pollutants that parents and grandparents experienced; explains how an identical twin may develop a genetic mental disorder and might physically differ slightly from co-twin (genetic but same DNA)