Biological Foundations

Question 1

phenotypes

Answer 1

directly observable characteristics

Question 2

genotypes

Answer 2

complex blend of genetic information that determines our species and influences all our unique characteristics

Question 3

chromosomes

Answer 3

rodlike structures which store and transmit genetic information

Question 4

DNA

Answer 4

long double-stranded molecule that looks like a twisted ladder

Question 5

gene

Answer 5

segment of DNA

Question 6

mitosis

Answer 6

unique feature of DNA that it can duplicate itself

Question 7

gametes

Answer 7

sex cells–the sperm and ovum

Question 8

meiosis

Answer 8

forms gametes

Question 9

zygote

Answer 9

when sperm and ovum unite at fertilization

Question 10

crossing over

Answer 10

chromosomes next to each other break at one or more points along their length and exchange segments

Question 11

autosomes

Answer 11

not sex chromosomes

Question 12

identical / monozygotic twins

Answer 12

identical genetic makeup

Question 13

fraternal / dizygotic twins

Answer 13

most common type of multiple birth from the release and fertilization of two ova

Question 14

allele

Answer 14

each form of a gene

Question 15

homozygous

Answer 15

alleles from both parents are alike

Question 16

heterozygous

Answer 16

alleles differ

Question 17

dominant-recessive inheritance

Answer 17

only one allele affects the child’s characteristics (dominant vs recessive)

Question 18

carriers

Answer 18

children that have just one recessive allele

Question 19

modifier genes

Answer 19

enhance or dilute effects of other genes

Question 20

incomplete dominance

Answer 20

pattern of inheritance in which both alleles are expressed in the phenotype–combined trait or intermediate between the two

Question 21

X-linked inheritance

Answer 21

males are more likely to be affected because their sex chromosomes do not match

Question 22

genetic imprinting

Answer 22

alleles are imprinted, chemically marked, so that one pair member is activated regardless of makeup

Question 23

mutation

Answer 23

sudden but permanent change in a segment of DNA

Question 24

polygenic inheritance

Answer 24

many genes determine the characteristic in question

Question 25

genetic counselling

Answer 25

communication process designed to help couples assess their chances of giving brith to a baby with a hereditary disorder and choose the best course of action in view of risks and family goals

Question 26

prenatal diagnostic methods

Answer 26

medical procedures that permit detection of developmental problems before birth

Question 27

amnion

Answer 27

membrane that encolses the developing organism in amniotic fluid which helps keep the temperature of the prenatal world constant and provides a cushion against any jolts caused by the woman's movement

Question 28

chorion

Answer 28

protective membrane which surrounds the amnion

Question 29

placenta

Answer 29

permits food and oxygen to reach the developing organism and waste products to be carried away

Question 30

umbilical cord

Answer 30

contains one large vein that delivers blood loaded with nutrients and two arteries that remove waste products

Question 31

embryo

Answer 31

most rapid prenatal changes take place

Question 32

fetus

Answer 32

longest prenatal period of "growth and finishing"

Question 33

vernix

Answer 33

protects skin from chapping during long months spent in amniotic fluid

Question 34

lanugo

Answer 34

covers entire body to help vernix stick to skin

Question 35

age of viability

Answer 35

baby can survive

Question 36

teratogen

Answer 36

environmental agent that causes damage during hte prenatal period

Question 37

fetal alcohol spectrum disorder

Answer 37

physical, mental and behavioral outcomes caused by prenatal alcohol exposure

Question 38

Apgar scale

Answer 38

assesses baby's physical condition

Question 39

natural or prepared childbirth

Answer 39

group of techniques aimed at reducing pain or medical intervention and making childbirth as rewarding an experience as possible

Question 40

breech position

Answer 40

turned in such a way that the buttocks or feet would be delivered first

Question 41

RH factor incompatibility

Answer 41

when mother is Rh negative and father is Rh positive, baby may inherit father's --> formation of antibodies to the foreign protein

Question 42

preterm infants

Answer 42

born several weeks before due date

Question 43

small for date infants

Answer 43

below their expected weight considering length of the pregnancy

Question 44

behavioral genetics

Answer 44

field devoted to uncovering the contributions of nature and nurture to the diversity of human traits and abilities

Question 45

heritability estimates

Answer 45

measure the extent to which individual differences in complex traits in a specific population are due to genetic factors

Question 46

kinship studies

Answer 46

compare the characteristics of family members

Question 47

gene-envrionment interaction

Answer 47

because of genetic makeup, idnviduals differ in their responsiveness to qualities of the environment

Question 48

canalization

Answer 48

tendency of heredity to restrict the development of some chracteristics to just one or a few outcomes

Question 49

gene-environment correlation

Answer 49

our genes influence the envrionments to which are exposed

Question 50

niche-picking

Answer 50

tendency to actively choose environments that complement our heredity

Question 51

epigenesis

Answer 51

development resulting from ongoing bidirectional exchanges between heredity and all levels of the environment