Week 3 Flashcards
Behavioural Genetics
The empirical science of how genes and environments combine to generate behaviour
Quantitative Genetics
Scientific and mathematical methods for inferring genetic and environmental processes based on the degree of genetic and environmental similarity among organisms
Heritability Coefficient
An easily misinterpreted statistical contrust that’s purpose is to measure the role of genetics in the explanation of differences among individuals
Phenotype
The pattern of expression of the genotype or extent to which it is observably expressed, an observable characteristic
Epigenetics
The study of heritable changes in gene expression or cellular phenotype caused by mechanisms other than changes in the underlying DNA sequence
DNA Methylation
Covalent modifications of mammalian DNA occuring via the methylation of cytosine
Histone Modification
Posttranslational modifications of the “tails” of the histone proteins that serve as a major mode of epigenetic regulation
Epigenome
The genome- wide distribution of epigenetic marks, which can vary widely depending on cell type, tissues and brain regions, influenced by a range of external environmental factors
Natural Selection
Differential reproductive success as a consequence of difference heritable attributes based of survival and evolution
Sexual Selection
The evolution of characteristics because of the mating advantage they give organisms
Adaptations
Evolved solutions to problems that historically contributed to reproductive success
Inter-sexual Competition
A process of sexual selection by which evolution occurs as a consequence of the mate preferences of one sex exerting selection pressure of meebers of the opposite sex
