PSY-203 CHP 2 Flashcards
The evolutionary process by which the best-adapted individuals of a species survive and reproduce is called ______ selection.
NATURAL SELECTION
According to evolutionary psychology, natural selection favors behaviors that
increase reproductive success.
Which of the following statements describes a main idea of David Buss’s theory of evolutionary psychology?
Evolutionary processes can influence not only our physical features but also our decision making, aggression levels, fears, and mating patterns.
David Buss has argued that:
evolution shapes behaviors and thought patterns, not just physical traits.
The growth of the human brain and gaining the experiences necessary to master the complexities of our human society takes place in the extended ______ period of the life span.
childhood
In ___ theory, what matters is that individuals live long enough to reproduce and pass on their characteristics.
evolutionary
As the environment changes, some species adapt in a way that helps them survive and reproduce, while other species do not adapt well and die. This process is called
natural selection
How are characteristics that suit a species for survival transmitted from one generation to the next?
genetic code from parents
Which psychological approach emphasizes the importance of adaptation, reproduction, and survival of the fittest in shaping behaviors?
evolutionary psychology
___ are threadlike structures made up of strands of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA).
chromosomes
What is the complex molecule, shaped like a spiral staircase, that contains genetic information?
DNA
The statement that is not typically held by evolutionary developmental psychologists is:
“All evolved mechanisms are adaptive in contemporary society.”
Evolutionary developmental psychologists recognize that while many evolved psychological mechanisms were adaptive in ancestral environments, they may not necessarily be adaptive in contemporary society due to rapid societal changes.
What unit of hereditary information is composed of short segments of DNA?
genes
Which of the following could be a possible explanation for why evolution would favor longevity?
“Having older people around to care for children increases children’s survival rate.”
Longer-lived individuals can contribute to the survival and success of their offspring and kin by providing care, support, and wisdom, thereby increasing the likelihood of their genes being passed down to future generations.
The building blocks of cells that regulate and direct body processes are called
proteins
Human traits and characteristics that are genetically influenced have an evolutionary history that is
retained in our DNA
The complete set of developmental instructions for creating proteins that initiate the making of a human organism is the
human genome
Genes are passed from generation to generation through three processes, called mitosis, meiosis, and ___
fertilization
Which of the following is a double-helix shaped molecule that contains genetic information?
DNA
Which of the following happen during mitosis?
- A cell’s nucleus duplicates itself.
- Two new cells are formed.
___ control the reproduction of cells and the assembly of proteins.
genes
How many chromosomes does a gamete, or sex cell, have?
23
Sex cells (gametes) are unique; they have only 23 unpaired chromosomes. Two of them fuse at conception to produce a zygote with 46 chromosomes.
Genes direct cells to reproduce themselves, whereas ______ are the building blocks of cells.
proteins
Which of the following is true of the genetic material of a zygote?
Each parent contributes half the offspring’s genetic material.
During fertilization, the sperm cell from the father and the egg cell from the mother each contribute half of the genetic material to form a zygote with the full complement of 46 chromosomes.
A goal of the Human Genome project was to:
discover the location of genes linked to certain functions and developmental outcomes.
The Human Genome Project aimed to map and sequence all the genes of the human genome to understand their function and their role in health and disease.
Genetic variability is most important for which of the following processes?
natural selection
Natural selection operates on the variation within a population, favoring traits that confer an advantage in a given environment. This variability allows for adaptation to changing environmental conditions, driving the process of evolution.
cell’s nucleus, including the chromosomes, duplicates itself, and the cell divides.
mitosis
specialized form of cell division forms eggs and sperm only.
meiosis
An egg and a sperm fuse to create a single cell.
fertilization
The two new cells created by mitosis:
contain the same DNA as the original cell.
During mitosis, the two new cells created contain the same DNA as the original cell because the DNA is replicated and then distributed equally between the daughter cells.
Fraternal twins are no more genetically similar than ordinary siblings (t/f)
true
Fraternal twins develop from separate eggs and separate sperm.
Which of the following statements is true about meiosis?
“It produces cells with unpaired chromosomes.”
Meiosis is a specialized type of cell division that reduces the chromosome number by half, resulting in the formation of gametes (such as sperm and egg cells) with unpaired chromosomes. This process is essential for sexual reproduction.
Environmental agents such as radiation, errors in the cellular machinery, and chance can all lead to a ___ gene.
mutant gene
Observable and measurable characteristics such as height, hair color, and intelligence are aspects of a person’s ___
phenotype
Combining the genes of two parents in offspring increases which of the following in the population?
variability
Which of the following are recessive characteristics? (select all)
- blond hair
-near sightedness
-freckles
An X-linked disease is more likely to harm men than women.
true
It does cause more damage to men.
___ twins (monozygotic twins) develop from a single zygote, whereas ___ twins (dizygotic twins) develop from separate eggs and separate sperm cells.
identical; fraternal
A ____ gene is marked by cellular damage from an environmental agent such as radiation.
mutated
Environments interact with genotypes to produce phenotypes. (t/f)
true
An individual can inherit the genetic potential to grow very large, but good nutrition, among other things, will be essential for achieving that potential.
Which of the following is not a dominant characteristic?
dimples
Dimples override other characteristics, and as such they are a dominant characteristic.
Farsightedness overrides other characteristics, and as such it is a dominant characteristic.
X-linked diseases are more likely to affect men than women because:
women have an extra copy of the X chromosome, which usually has the non-mutated gene.
Chromosomal abnormalities result when a chromosome does not separate properly during:
meiosis
Which of the following are chromosomal abnormalities?
Down syndrome
Turner syndrome
Fragile X syndrome
Which of the following is a chromosomally transmitted form of intellectual disability caused by the presence of an extra copy of chromosome 21?
down syndrome
What happens in genetic imprinting?
A chemical process silences one member of the gene pair.
Which of the following are risk factors for Down syndrome?
The mother is over age 34.
The mother is under 16.
A dominant gene will override the potential influence of a ___ gene.
recessive
There are times when abnormalities involve whole
______ that do not separate properly during meiosis, whereas other abnormalities are produced by harmful genes.
chromosomes
An extra X chromosome causes physical abnormalities.
Klinefelter Syndrome
An abnormality in the X chromosome can cause intellectual disability, learning disabilities, or short attention span.
Fragile X Syndrome
A missing X chromosome in females can cause intellectual disability and infertility.
Turner Syndrome
Males with this condition have an extra Y chromosome.
XYY Syndrome
When a gamete is formed, sometimes the sperm or ovum does not have a normal set of 23 chromosomes. This is referred to as a(n) ______ abnormality.
chromosomal
All of the following are characteristics of Klinefelter syndrome except:
extra Y chromosome
Klinefelter Syndrome includes enlarged breasts, undeveloped testes, tallness
Fragile X syndrome is a chromosomal disorder in which:
there is an abnormality on the X chromosome, which becomes constricted and often breaks.
Fragile X syndrome is caused by an abnormality in the FMR1 gene on the X chromosome, leading to the X chromosome becoming constricted and fragile.
Which of the following are recessive characteristics?
freckles
nearsightedness
blond hair
In order to be viable, human embryos must possess
at least one X chromosome.
Males who have an extra X chromosome, making them XXY, have
Klinefelter Syndrome
XYY syndrome is a chromosomal disorder in which the
male has an extra Y chromosome.
A common outcome of fragile X syndrome is
intellectual disability
Conditions such as phenylketonuria or sickle cell anemia are produced by
gene-like abnormalities
Untreated phenylketonuria (PKU) can lead to:
intellectual disabiity
Someone with which of the following chromosomes has Turner syndrome?
XO
How is phenylketonuria an example of the principle of heredity-environment interaction?
People with the same genetic defect will have different outcomes depending on their environment.
Those with XYY syndrome are more prone to aggression and violence. (t/f)
False.
Although there used to be a belief that an extra Y chromosome contributed to aggression and violence, researchers have subsequently found that XYY males are no more likely to commit crimes than are XY males.
Which genetic disorder occurs primarily in Black Americans?
sickle cell anemia
Regarding genetic defects, which of the following statements are true?
- Genetic abnormalities can be produced by harmful genes.
- Genetic abnormalities can be produced by an abnormal number of chromosomes.
- Genetic disorders are caused by an extra copy of chromosome 21.
-Most genetic disorders are rare
Which of the following are gene-linked abnormalities?
spina bifida
sickle-cell anemia
phenylketonuria
cystic fibrosis
Which of the following is a genetic disorder in which an individual cannot properly metabolize a certain amino acid and, if left untreated, causes intellectual disability?
phenylketonuria (PKU)
Prenatal diagnostic tests include all of the following except
the Apgar Scale
the Apgar Scale is a test administered to the baby immediately after it is born.
Prenatal diagnostic tests include:
ultrasound
aminocentesis
fetal MRI
The important issue in development implicated by phenylketonuria is:
nature-nurture
Normally conducted seven weeks into the pregnancy, ______ is used to detect structural abnormalities in the fetus and when used later in the pregnancy can help determine whether the baby is male or female.
ultrasound sonography
Sickle-cell anemia, in which the red blood cells cannot carry ______ properly and die quickly, occurs most often in African Americans.
oxygen
A powerful magnet and a radio create images that generate a detailed picture of the body’s organs and structures. This sort of screening is called a fetal ___
fetal MRI
The malformations that can be detected by fetal MRI include:
central nervous system malformations
genital/urinary malformations
chest malformations
The Human Genome Project has identified DNA variations that result in an increased risk of Huntington disease (t/f)
true
The Human Genome Project has linked specific DNA variations with increased risk of a number of diseases and conditions, including Huntington disease (in which the central nervous system deteriorates).
The tests that can be used to indicate whether a fetus is developing normally include:
fetal MRI
ultrasound
amniocentesis
chorionic villus sampling
Ultrasound sonography uses ______ directed toward the pregnant woman’s abdomen that produce(s) a visual representation of the fetus.
sound waves
Chorionic villus sampling is a prenatal medical procedure in which
a small sample of the placenta is removed for testing.
What fetal screening method can provide more detailed images than an ultrasound?
fetal MRI
Which procedure involves withdrawing amniotic fluid between the 15th and 18th weeks of pregnancy?
amniocentesis
Maternal blood screening can identify the following conditions:
Down syndrome
Spina bifida
heart disease
Which of the following prenatal tests can be used for fetal sex determination by 13 weeks of gestation?
cell-free DNA
ultrasound
chorionic villus sampling
Natalie is 40 years old and in her 15th week of pregnancy. She is concerned that her baby might have Down syndrome. Her doctor performs a(n) Blank______, which involves withdrawing and testing a sample of amniotic fluid.
amniocentesis
The most commonly used reproductive technology
in vitro fertilization
___ is typically the first prenatal test, performed between the 15th and 19th week of pregnancy to identify elevated risk for birth defects like spina bifida and Down syndrome.
maternal blood screening
A non-invasive diagnosis of cell-free DNA in plasma was accurately able to determine fetal sex as early as ______ weeks.
6.5 weeks
Which of the following are potential causes of infertility?
the woman does not ovulate
blocked fallopian tubes
low sperm production
social and legal process by which a parent-child relationship is established between persons not related by birth.
adoption
Which of these are trends in adoption in the US within the last 30–40 years?
A greater number of adoptive parents are in same-sex relationships.
International adoption is more common.
Identify the three pathways to adoption.
through the public welfare system
through international adoption
through agencies and intermediaries
The noninvasive test that can detect Down syndrome as early as 10 weeks into the first trimester is:
cell-free DNA
Research has shown that adopted children are at higher risk than non-adopted children for:
externalizing aggression.
attention problems.
internalizing anxiety and depression.
The prenatal tests that can be used for fetal sex determination by 13 weeks of gestation are:
cell-free DNA
ultrasound
chorionic villus sampling
Which field seeks to discover the influence of environment and heredity on individual differences in human development?
behavior genetics
Which of these are trends in adoption in the US within the last 30–40 years?
More children are adopted through the foster care system.
Interracial adoption is more common.
A greater number of adoptive parents are single.
Dr. Turner is studying shyness. He finds that Blake and Luke, identical twins, are more alike in terms of level of inhibition than are Sam and Carl, who are fraternal twins. His research indicates that ______ plays an important role in shyness.
heredity
In the next decade, which type of adoption is most likely to increase?
adoption through child welfare
The issue that may complicate the interpretation of a twin study is:
The environments of identical twins might be more similar than the environments of fraternal twins.
This similarity in environments can potentially confound the results of a twin study, making it challenging to disentangle genetic and environmental influences on the traits being studied.
The majority of adopted children ______ well to life, and their parents report ______ with their decision to adopt.
adjust well; success
In an adoption study, investigators seek to determine whether adopted children’s characteristics are:
biological or environmental
______ try to figure out what is responsible for the differences among people: genes, environment, or a combination of these.
behavioral genetics
In the most common twin study, the behavioral similarity of identical twins is compared with the behavioral similarity of:
fraternal twins
Which of the following is not one of behavior geneticist Sandra Scarr’s hereditary-environment correlations?
phenotypic
Phenotypic correlation refers to the statistical association between phenotypic traits, which may or may not be influenced by genetic and environmental factors. It is not one of Sandra Scarr’s hereditary-environment correlations.
The factors that might influence the environment of identical twins and therefore complicate the interpretation of twin studies are:
Identical twins might see themselves as a “set” and play together more than fraternal twins do.
Adults may stress the similarities of identical twins more than those of fraternal twins.
Which statement regarding genotype-environment correlations is true?
Passive genotype-environment correlations occur when the biological parents provide a rearing environment for the child.
Passive genotype-environment correlations refer to the situation where the child’s genotype is correlated with the environment they are raised in, largely due to the influence of the biological parents who provide both the genes and the environment.
Zack is always smiling; as a result, his teachers tend to respond to him in a more pleasant and attentive way. This is an example of a(n)
evocative genotype-environment correlation.
______ genotype-environment correlations occur when children seek out environments they find compatible and stimulating.
active (niche-picking)
What is it called when individuals’ genes may influence the types of environments to which they are exposed?
heredity-environment correlations
According to Gilbert Gottlieb’s epigenetic view, which of the following characterizes the relationship between heredity and environment in development?
bidirectional
Bobby’s dad is a banker and loves numbers, and Bobby and his dad enjoy solving arithmetic problems. According to ______, Bobby will probably grow up to be skilled in arithmetic.
passive genotype-environment correlations
Evocative genotype-environment correlations occur because a child’s ______ elicit certain types of environments.
characteristics
Jake likes to read and write; so when Jake has any free time, he likes to spend it in the library. This is an example of which type of correlation?
active (niche-picking) genotype-environment correlation
Interpreting the results of adoption and twin studies is difficult because of the complexities of
heredity-environment correlations.
According to developmental psychologist David Moore, genetic factors
do not determine phenotypes independently from the contexts in which they develop.
The ______ view states that development is the result of an ongoing, bidirectional interchange between heredity and the environment.
epigenetic
______ genotype-environment correlations occur because biological parents, who are genetically related to the child, provide a rearing environment for the child.
passive
Environmental influences include which of the following?
Neighborhood
Schooling
Parenting
Birth complications
Viruses
The emerging view is that complex behaviors are influenced by genes in ways that give people a propensity for a particular developmental trajectory as well as by complex environments. (t/f)
true
The emerging view is that complex behaviors are influenced by genes as well as by complex environments.
