Week 3- Genetics and Evolution Flashcards
Define DNA, Genes, and Chromosomes
DNA: genetic material that is a biological macro-molecule that forms a double-helix
Gene: basic unit of heredity tat contains info for creating proteins and is comprised of DNA
Chromosomes: Structure found in nucleus that contains genes and is made up of DNA and proteins
Describe genotypes and phenotypes
genotype: genetic maeup of organism
phenotype: observational characteristics of organism (genotype you can see)
Describe dominant and recessive traits that contain heterozygous and homozygous alleles
Alleles: alternate form of genes
homozygous: 2 of same alleles (BB(dominant homozygous),bb(recessive homozygous))
Heterozygous: 2 different alleles (Bb) (dominant heterozygous)
Describe the heritability of certain traits, including whether they are polygenic
-Polygenic inheritance definition
Eye colour and hair colour-traits controlled by 1 gene
- lab/retriever mix has 2 separate genes for fur colour (B (black fur), b brown fur), E (black/brown fur), e (golden fur))
- most disorders caused by more than 1 gene to express a trait
- polygenic inheritance: trait influenced by multiple genes, causes continuum of traits (ex. skin and eye colour), most traits influenced by many genes
Describe the role of variability in heritability
Genes and environment allow for variance and diversity in population (variability in intelligence, personality traits, etc.)
-heritability has affect on how behaviour genetics are studied
Explain how our behaviour genetics are studied
- influenced by heritability
- Behaviour genetics: study how genes and environment influence behaviour
- measure nature vs. nurture continuum
- intelligence, personality and mental disorders are examples of traits that are often studied
ex. twin studies, adoption studies (how similar are you to twin and biological parent (adopted family; nurture, biological family;nature)
Explain the differences between nature and nurture
Nature: Behaviour comes from genes (nativism)
Nurture: Behaviour influenced by environment (empiricism)
-almost all behaviour realists from combo of nature and nurture (studied by behaviour genetics)
Describe the field of epigenetics
Epigenetics: heritable changes that will occur without change in DNA sequence
-Change in phenotype without chance in genotype (ex. puberty, pregnancy, smoking)
Misconceptions of heritability
1 gene influences 1 trace or disorder which is not true because most traits are complex and involve multiple genes
Analyze the adaptive functions of romantic relationships, kin relationships, friendships, and dominance hierarchies
we exhibit preference to particularly shaped objects
- affected by reproductive and survival success in ancestral environments
- are similar between culture and time
- evolution can affect what people desire
- related to reproductive success
Misunderstandings about revolution (all of these are untrue)
- evolution has no predetermined plan/foresight
- characteristics produced by evolution are not morally good or bad (naturalistic fallacy)
- all characteristics produced by evolution are often influenced by the environment
- genes cause organisms to act differently in different environmental contexts
- epigenetic modification
Apply parental investment theory and example
Parental investment theory: energy, time, resources (opportunity cost due to offspring)
ex. mating strategies of elephant seals, males have no parental investment and fight for females so all dominant males get the females (intra sexual selection)
Explain the sociobiological approach to altruism and altruism definition
-genes are what influence to choose who we help and how
-sometimes genetic conflict between mother and fetus
Altruism: unselfish concern of oneself for well-being of another
Kin-directed altruism: people who behave this way are less likely to have offspring but genes of the same as theirs will be passed on
Inclusive fitness: reproductive success of those who share common genes (people will sacrifice themselves for relatives to carry on their genes)
Reciprocal Altruism: people help out non-family members because they are confident they will help them out back
Explain the evolutionary role of emotions
- strategies evolved over time to attract mate
- males want plenty of offspring, females want male to devote time and resources to offspring
- competition leads to jealousy
- emotions are likely adaptations to different reproductive and survival problems in past
- 6 basic emotions: surprise, happiness, anger, fear, disgust, sadness
