Physiological Psychology: Chapter 1

Question 1

Artificial Selection

Answer 1

change in the frequencies of various genes in a population because of a breeder’s selection of desired individuals for mating purposes

Question 2

Autosomal Gene

Answer 2

gene on any of the chromosomes other than the sex chromosomes (X and Y)

Question 3

Biological Psychology

Answer 3

study of the physiological, evolutionary, and developmental mechanisms of behavior and experience

Question 4

Chromosome

Answer 4

strand of DNA bearing the genes

Question 5

Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA)

Answer 5

double-stranded chemical that composes the chromosomes; it serves as a template for the synthesis of RNA

Question 6

Dizygotic Twins

Answer 6

fraternal (nonidentical) twins

Question 7

Dominant Gene

Answer 7

gene that shows a strong effect in either the homozygous or heterozygous condition

Question 8

Enzymes

Answer 8

any proteins that catalyze biological reactions

Question 9

Evolution

Answer 9

change in the frequencies of various genes in a population over generations

Question 10

Evolutionary Explanation

Answer 10

understanding in terms of the evolutionary history of a species

Question 11

Evolutionary Psychology

Answer 11

field that deals with how behaviors have evolved

Question 12

Fitness

Answer 12

number of copies of one’s genes that endure in later generations

Question 13

Functional Explanation

Answer 13

understanding why a structure or behavior evolved as it did

Question 14

Gene

Answer 14

unit of heredity that maintains its structural identity from one generation to another

Question 15

Hard Problem

Answer 15

philosophical question of why and how any kind of brain activity is associated with consciousness

Question 16

Heritability

Answer 16

estimate of the degree to which variance in a characteristic depends on variations in heredity for a given population

Question 17

Heterozygous

Answer 17

having two unlike genes for a given trait

Question 18

Homozygous

Answer 18

having two identical genes for a given characteristic

Question 19

Identity Position

Answer 19

view that mental processes are the same as certain kinds of brain processes but described in different terms

Question 20

Kin Selection

Answer 20

selection for a gene because it benefits the individual’s relatives

Question 21

Lamarckian Evolution

Answer 21

discredited theory that evolution proceeds through the inheritance of acquired characteristics

Question 22

Materialism

Answer 22

view that everything that exists is material, or physical

Question 23

Mentalism

Answer 23

view that only the mind really exists

Question 24

Mindbody Problem/Mindbrain Problem

Answer 24

question of how the mind is related to the brain

Question 25

Monism

Answer 25

theory that only one kind of substance exists in the universe (not separate physical and mental substances)

Question 26

Monozygotic Twins

Answer 26

identical twins, derived from a single fertilized egg

Question 27

Multiplier Effect

Answer 27

tendency for small genetic or prenatal influences to change the environment in a way that magnifies the change

Question 28

Ontogenetic Explanation

Answer 28

understanding in terms of how a structure or a behavior develops

Question 29

Phenylketonuria (PKU)

Answer 29

inherited inability to metabolize phenylalanine, leading to mental retardation unless the afflicted person stays on a strict low-phenylalanine diet throughout childhood

Question 30

Physiological Explanation

Answer 30

understanding in terms of the activity of the brain and other organs

Question 31

Problem of Other Minds

Answer 31

difficulty of knowing whether other people or animals have conscious experiences

Question 32

Recessive Gene

Answer 32

gene that shows its effects only in the homozygous condition

Question 33

Reciprocal Altruism

Answer 33

helping individuals who may later be helpful in return

Question 34

Ribonucleic Acid (RNA)

Answer 34

single strand chemical; one type of an RNA molecule serves as a template for the synthesis of protein molecules

Question 35

Sex-Limited Gene

Answer 35

gene that exerts its effects primarily in one sex because of activation by androgens or estrogens, although members of both sexes may have the gene

Question 36

Sex-Linked Gene

Answer 36

gene on either the X or the Y chromosome

Question 37

Solipsism

Answer 37

philosophical position that I alone exist or I alone am conscious

Question 38

X Chromosome

Answer 38

chromosome of which female mammals have two and males have one

Question 39

Y Chromosome

Answer 39

chromosome of which female mammals have none and males have one