Unit 1 - LAA4 - Genetics & Inheritance Flashcards
Where are genes found?
In chromosomes
What are genes a collection of?
Inherited DNA
Who do we inherit copies of each gene from?
Biological parent
Genotype and Phenotype are examples of…
Genetic information we inherit
What is meant by genotype?
Information we inherit and are present at birth
What is meant by phenotype?
Physical expression of the genotype after it has interacted with the environment
Give an example of a factor that can impact the expression of genes
Diet / living conditions / pollution
Genes alone determine all your physical and non-physical characteristics - true or false?
False
What do studies of identical twins illustrate?
How different factors like smoking, sun exposure, depression and weight gain can influence aging
How do we study genetics/heredity?
Twin studies
What two things do researchers look at in twin studies?
Concordance rates & the environment the twins develop in
What is meant by a ‘concordance rate’?
The probability to which twins/parents share the same characteristics
The probability to which twins/parents share the same characteristics is called…
Concordance rate
What do biological psychologists use twin studies for?
To investigate the effect of genes on behaviour
What are the two types of twins?
Monozygotic (MZ) and Dizygotic (DZ)
Monozygotic (MZ) twins are…
genetically identical
Dizygotic (DZ) twins are…
genetically non-identical
Give an example of a characteristic twin studies have been used for
Intelligence / Aggression
How is a concordance rate expressed?
As a percentage which shows the degree of similarity
What does a concordance rate of 0% mean?
No similarity
What does a concordance rate of 100% mean?
Identical - share the same characteristic
What % of their genes do identical twins share?
100%
What % of their genes do non-identical twins share?
50%
What is a problem of studying identical twins?
They also share an environment
Who are the ideal twins to study in twin studies?
Twins who have been reared apart
What pair of chromosomes do females have?
XX
What pair of chromosomes do males have?
XY
What gene is located on the Y chromosome?
Sex-determining region gene (SRY gene)
What does the presence of the SRY gene do?
Switches on other genes and initiates the prenatal development of male genitalia
What happens without the SRY gene?
The other genes remain switched off and the embryo develops as a female
What does the SRY gene cause the release of and what does this lead to?
Testosterone into the womb, leads to some changes in brain development
The SRY gene provides examples of genes impacting on…
Physical development & Psychological development
How does the SRY gene provide an example of genes impacting on physical development?
SRY switches on other genes and initiates the pre-natal development of male genitalia
How does the SRY gene provide an example of genes impacting on psychological development?
SRY causes the release of testosterone into the womb which leads to some changes in brain development
What is a practical application of genetics?
Stress management techniques to prevent someone from becoming depressed
Give one strength of genetics
Practical applications / Strong evidence to support
What has evidence to support the role of the SRY gene on development shown?
When SRY is mutated it cannot perform the function of engaging testicular development
Give one weakness of the influence of genes
It is oversimplified
How is the influence of genes oversimplified?
Genes are not the sole cause for our behaviour / Other factors may trigger the response
What is another factor that may trigger development of a behaviour?
Environment
