Genes and Environment

Question 1

Pre-Darwin Observations

Answer 1

• fossil records showed that bones from older geological strata differ from recent strata
• structural similarities across diverse kinds of creatures body structure and embryological development

Question 2

Charles Darwin Evolution

Answer 2

• there is genetic variation in species
• some genes aid in adaptation more than others
• these genes will be passed on to future generations (natural selection)

Question 3

Genotype

Answer 3

the genetic makeup a person inherits

Question 4

Phenotype

Answer 4

the actual characteristic or trait expressed

Question 5

Darwin’s observations on H.M.S Beagle

Answer 5

• different beak shape and sizes on finches in the Galapagos Islands
• thought maybe living isolated on different islands had forced species to change and adapt to local conditions and that they share a common ancestor

Question 6

Mutation

Answer 6

random genetic copying error (a few mutations will result in a reproductive benefit on an individual and these mutations will spread over time)

Question 7

Adaptation

Answer 7

an evolved solution to a specific problem that leads to successful reproduction in some way

Question 8

Fitness

Answer 8

how well-suited or matched an individual is to his/her environment
-reproductive success

Question 9

Did humans evolve from living apes?

Answer 9

NO, humans and apes share a common ancestor that no longer exists

Question 10

Evolutionary Psychology

Answer 10

an approach to the study of psychology that utilises modern evolutionary theory as a unifying frame

Question 11

Zygote

Answer 11

union of sperm and ovum at conception

Question 12

Where did humankind start?

Answer 12

Rift Valley in Africa

Question 13

milk

Answer 13

most adults cannot digest the primary sugar in milk - lactase persistence found in northern europeans, nomads in africa and asia

Question 14

Meiosis

Answer 14

• process producing sperm and ova

- start with diplod cells end with haploid gametes

Question 15

Mitosis

Answer 15

cell division process creating new cells throughout life

Question 16

Regulator genes

Answer 16

turn on or off specific genes

Question 17

SRY gene

Answer 17

responsible for looking male or female

• used in the olympics as a gender verification
• athletes with SRY gene were not permitted to participate as females (until 2000)

Question 18

males

females

Answer 18

xy

xx

Question 19

3 major mechanisms by which genes are inherited

Answer 19

1. single gene-pair
2. sex-linked
3. polygenic inheritance
   (also mutation)

Question 20

single gene-pair inheritance

Answer 20

-dominant genes: dominant trait

Question 21

sex linked inheritance

Answer 21

-single gene located on sex chromosomes
-x linked
(hemophilia, colourblindness)

Question 22

polygenic inheritance

Answer 22

• most nb human characteristics (height, weight, temperament, intelligence)
• multiple pairs of genes

Question 23

chromosomal abnormalities: anatomical

Answer 23

• microcephaly

- hypopigmentation (fair eyes,skin hair)

Question 24

chromosomal abnormalities: neurological

Answer 24

• seizures

- EEG abnoralities

Question 25

chromosomal abnormalities: motoric

Answer 25

- hypertonicity (posturing) | - poor coordination

Question 26

chromosomal abnormalities: behavioural

Answer 26

- hyperactivity - attention problems - lower IQ

Question 27

Turner's syndrome

Answer 27

- sex chromosome abnormality - 1/3000 females have a single x chromosome - short stature - lack ovarian development - webbed neck - arms turn out at elbow - low hairline in back of head

Question 28

Klinefelter syndome

Answer 28

- sex chromosome abnomality - 1/200 males - XXY - sterile, feminine traits - underdeveloped testicles (hypogonadism) - taller than average - feminine body build

Question 29

Phenylketonuria

Answer 29

- genetic inborn error of metabolism - absence of enzyme that produces amino acid phenylalanine - without treatment, develop mental retardation - treatment: phe-restricted diet - recessive trait

Question 30

Sickle Cell Disease

Answer 30

- fatigue, breathlessness, arm and leg pains, foot swelling - (anaemia) - genotype: Ss

Question 31

Huntington's Disease

Answer 31

- hereditary, degenerative brain disorder - no treatment or cure - diminishes ability to walk, think, talk and reason - single dominant gene - symptoms at 30-45 - each child of a person with HD, has a 50% chance of inheriting it - everyone who carries gene develops it

Question 32

Behavioural Genetics

Answer 32

the extent to which genetic and environmental differences among people and animals are responsible for differences in their traits

Question 33

Concordance rates

Answer 33

percent of pairs if one has the trait so does the other

Question 34

Correlation coefficients

Answer 34

used to assess where traits vary together

Question 35

Heritability estimate

Answer 35

a measure of the degree to which a variation in a particular trait among individuals in a given population is related to genetic differences among individuals. H2 = 2(rm – rd)

Question 36

3 factors of influences

Answer 36

1. genes 2. shared environment influences 3. nonshared environmental influences

Question 37

accounting for individual differences

Answer 37

-Correlations highest in identical twins ---> Genetic factors determine trait -Correlations higher if twins reared together ----> Environmental factors -Correlations are not perfect----> Nonshared experiences Identical twins more alike with age

Question 38

Passive gene/environment correlations

Answer 38

parents create social home

Question 39

Evocative gene/environment correlations

Answer 39

smiley baby gets more stimulation

Question 40

Active gene/environment correlations

Answer 40

child seeks parties, friends, groups

Question 41

Controversies Surrounding Genetic Research

Answer 41

- Identification of carriers of diseases and disorders - Giving information which leads to abortion - Experimenting with techniques for genetic alteration - Better parenting if child’s genetic predispositions understood

Question 42

Bioethics – sex selection

Answer 42

- in 1990s sex of embryos used for IVF via genetic diagnosis - pro: harms no one, a private decision - con: discriminatory effect on women

Question 43

Gene slc24a5

Answer 43

responsible for skin colour variation