Unit 3C: Genetics, Evolutionary Psychology, and Behavior

Question 1

behavior genetics

Answer 1

the study of the relative power and limits of genetic and environmental influences on behavior

Question 2

environment

Answer 2

every non-genetic influence, from prenatal nutrition to the people and things around us

Question 3

chromosomes

Answer 3

threadlike structures made of DNA molecules that contain the genes

Question 4

DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid)

Answer 4

a complex molecule containing the genetic information that makes up the chromosomes

Question 5

genes

Answer 5

the biochemical units of heredity that make up the chromosomes; segments of DNA capable of synthesizing a protein

Question 6

genome

Answer 6

the complete instructions for making an organism, consisting of all the genetic material in that organism’s chromosomes

Question 7

identical twins

Answer 7

twins who develop from a single fertilized egg that splits in two, creating two genetically identical organisms

Question 8

fraternal twins

Answer 8

twins who develop from separate fertilized eggs. They are genetically no closer than brothers and sisters, but they share a fetal environment

Question 9

genetic relatives

Answer 9

biological parents and siblings

Question 10

environmental relatives

Answer 10

adoptive parents and siblings

Question 11

heritability

Answer 11

the proportion of variation among individuals that we can attribute to genes. The heritability of a trait may vary, depending on the range of populations and environments studied

Question 12

interaction

Answer 12

the interplay that occurs when the effect of one factor (such as the environment) depends on another factor (such as heredity)

Question 13

not nature vs. nurture, but…

Answer 13

nature via. nurture

Question 14

molecular genetics

Answer 14

the subfield of biology that studies the molecular structure and function of genes

Question 15

evolutionary psychology

Answer 15

the study of the evolution of behavior and the mind, using principles of natural selection

Question 16

natural selection

Answer 16

the principle that, among the range of inherited trait variations, those that lead to increased reproduction and survival will most likely be passed on to succeeding generations

Question 17

Belyaev experiment

Answer 17

domesticated foxes

Question 18

mutation

Answer 18

a random error in a gene replication that leads to a change

Question 19

how much of genetic variation exists WITHIN populations?

Answer 19

95%

Question 20

Occam’s razor

Answer 20

we should prefer the simplest of competing explanations