Week 1 Flashcards
What is behaviour?
The response of an individual, group or species to
stimuli (trigger) in the environment
Why do people (or other species) respond differently to a similar environmental trigger?
Their genetic makeup (nature) e.g. genetic makeup, parental traits
Factors in their environment (nuture/experience) e.g. How they’re feeling at the time, previous experiences, culture.
What are Genes?
Genes are regions of DNA that are units of hereditary information that can be passed from one generation to another.
Who is the father of Genetics?
Gregor Mendel
What is a nucleus?
A membrane bound part of a cell which contains all
genetic information to promote survival of the cell (organism)
What do groups of cells make?
An organism
What make up chromosomes?
Genes
What do cells contain
A nucleus and chromosomes
What is a gene?
A sequence of DNA
What does DNA do?
The DNA in each gene programmes the manufacture of different proteins for use in the body
What are proteins made up of?
Amino Acids
How are amino acids obtained?
From our diet
What are the nine essential proteins?
- Histidine
- Isoleucine
- Leucine
- Lysine - beans
- Methionine
- Phenylalanine
- Threonine
- Tryptophan - can be found in turkey, sesame seeds
- Valine
How is the sequence of amino acids to form the proteins decided?
By intermediate RNA (ribonucleic acid) from DNA. The strand of DNA is copied and each base determines an opposite RNA base. A triplet of bases determines one amino acid
What does a triplet of bases determine?
One amino acid
Why does genetic information get translated into?
Proteins that get used in the body
What uses does Proteins turn into?
May become biological tissues and cells, or may become enzymes.
What are enzymes?
Enzymes produce chemical reactions so that our bodies function normally - saliva has an enzyme called amylase which helps us to breakdown the sugar that we eat
What is the double DNA strand called?
A double helix
What is the genetic life cycle?
DNA –> Transcription –> RNA –> Translation –> Protein
What is Mitosis?
When cells are directly replicated to produce more cells with the same genetic information
What is Meiosis?
Particular cells divide their genetic information - ready for
recombination with another organism
What are diploid cells?
Cells that are directly replicated with the same genetic information
What is a gamete?
A sex cell with half the genetic information. It is a type of Haploid cell
What is a male sex cell called?
Male spermatocyte
What is a female sex cell called?
Female oocyte
How does sexual recombination work?
Sperm 1 mixes with an Ovum which produces a whole cell and recombines genes
What is the difference between homozygous and heterozygous?
If a chromosome contains two identical genes we are said to be homozygous for that gene (characteristic)
If a chromosome contains two different genes (for the same characteristic) we are said to be heterozygous for that gene
What do dominant genes require for the trait to be expressed?
Dominant genes only require ONE gene to be present on the chromosome to produce that characteristic
What do recessive genes require for the trait to be expressed?
Recessive genes require BOTH genes to be present on the chromosome to produce that characteristic
In terms of recessive genes, how will they be produced?
When the gene is homozygous
What chromosomes do females and males have?
Two XX for females, XY for males
How do genders contribute chromosomes to offspring?
Females always give an X and males give either an X or a Y
How does down syndrome occur?
When chromosomes fail to divide properly and 3 genes end up on the 21st chromosome
What is an example of a beneficial mutation?
The peppered moth- during industrial revolution
What is high heritability?
behaviour is greatly determined by genes
What is low heritability?
behaviour is greatly determined by environment
