Nature Nurture curriculum Flashcards
behavioural genetics
the study of the relative power and limits of genetic and environmental influences on behaviour.
chromosomes
threadlike structures made of DNA molecules that contain the genes.
DNA
DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) a complex molecule containing the genetic information that makes up the chromosomes.
Environment
every external influence, from prenatal nutrition to the people and things around us.
epigenetic
the study of environmental influences on gene expres- sion that occur without a DNA change.
evolutionary psychology
the study of the evolution of behavior and mind, using principles of natural selection.
fraternal twins
(dizygotic twins) twins who develop from separate fertilized eggs. They are genetically no closer than brothers and sisters, but they share a fetal environment.
genes
the biochemical units of heredity that make up the chromo- somes; segments of DNA capable of synthesizing proteins.
genome
the complete instructions for making an organism, consisting of all the genetic material in that organism’s chromosomes.
heritability
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.
identical twins
(monozygotic twins) twins who develop from a single fertilized egg that splits in two, creating two genetically iden- tical organisms.
interactions
the interplay that occurs when the effect of one factor (such as environment) depends on another factor (such as heredity).
molecular genetics
molecular genetics the subfield of biology that studies the molecu- lar structure and function of genes.
mutation
a random error in gene replication that leads to a change.
natural selection
the principle that, among the range of inherited trait variations, those contributing to reproduction and survival will most likely be passed on to succeeding generations.
