Biology and Behavior

Question 1

genome

Answer 1

complete set of an organisms genes
mapped completely by researchers

Question 2

genotype

Answer 2

inherited genetic material

Question 3

phenotype

Answer 3

observable expression of genotype, both environment and behavior

Question 4

environment

Answer 4

every aspect of individuals and their surroundings except genes

Question 5

chromosomes

Answer 5

molecules of DNA that transmit genetic information

Question 6

DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid)

Answer 6

carries all biochemical instructions involved in the formation/function of an organism
46 chromosomes, 23 pairs, in nucleus of each cell

Question 7

random assortment

Answer 7

chromosomes at conception, ensures variation

Question 8

crossing over

Answer 8

gametes divide, chromosomes may swap DNA

Question 9

sex chromosomes

Answer 9

X/Y, determine sex a birth, only sperm cary Y chromosome

Question 10

endophenotype

Answer 10

• intermediate phenotype (brain/nervous system) that do not involve overt behavior

Question 11

regulator genes

Answer 11

control activity in other genes, often a chain reaction,, results in genetic diversity!

Question 12

alleles

Answer 12

two or more different forms of a gene
Mendelian inheritance pattern
either dominant or recessive
homozygous or heterozygous

Question 13

why are men more likely to experience sex-linked genetic disorders?

Answer 13

Y chromosome, so if they have a recessive X chromosome there is nothing to “cancel” it out

Question 14

polygenic inheritance

Answer 14

inheritance pattern in which traits are governed by more than one gene

Question 15

histone acetylation

Answer 15

promotes gene activity

Question 16

histone methylation

Answer 16

inhibits genetic activity

Question 17

phenylketonuria (PKU)

Answer 17

recessive gene on chromosome 12, cannot digest phenylalanine/aspartame, can cause impaired brain development, but if kept away, there is no problem

Question 18

carrier genetic testing

Answer 18

used to determine if prospective parents are carriers of certain genetic disorders
ex. Jewish and Tay Sachs or African-American and sickle cell

Question 19

prenatal testing

Answer 19

used to assess fetus risks (maternal blood, fetal DNA, placenta, amniotic fluid)

Question 20

aneuploidy

Answer 20

missing or extra chromosome

Question 21

newborn screening

Answer 21

pinprick to heel, tests for 30-50 genetic disorders

Question 22

behavior genetics

Answer 22

studies how variations in behavior development results from genetic and environmental factors
assumes all behavioral traits are at least somewhat heritable
assumes reared together more similar than reared apart

Question 23

types of behavioral genetics studies

Answer 23

family study, twin study, adoption study

Question 24

heritability

Answer 24

statistical estimate, proportion of measured variance in a given train that is attributable to genetic differences
common to find 50% in variance due to genetic differences
only applies to certain populations in a particular environment

Question 25

genetic disorder patterns

Answer 25

dominant/recessive (sickle cell) sex-linked (color blindness) polygenic (cancer) chromosomal (Down syndrome) gene anomalies (Williams syndrome) unidentified genetic basis (ASD)

Question 26

gene/environment correlation

Answer 26

certain genes go with certain environments ex. Niche-picking -- active correlation ex. parents like to read..have books in the home...child likes to read -- passive correlation

Question 27

evocative gene/environment correlation

Answer 27

child evokes a reaction, that reaction changes behavior

Question 28

gene/environment interaction

Answer 28

effect of one variable depends on the levels of the other variable

Question 29

neuron

Answer 29

specialized cells that send and receive messages between the brain and all parts of the body

Question 30

cell body

Answer 30

contains basic biological material to keep neuron functioning

Question 31

dendrites

Answer 31

fibers that receive input from other cells and conduct it toward the cell body

Question 32

axon

Answer 32

a fiber that conducts electrical signals away from the cell body to other neurons

Question 33

synapse

Answer 33

junction between axon nd dendrite branches of another neuron (hundreds of trillions in the human brain)

Question 34

gilal cells

Answer 34

form the myelin sheath, increase efficiency, protection and regeneration of neurons

Question 35

cerebral cortex

Answer 35

"gray matter" of brain, 4 distinct lobes, folds/fissures increase surface area

Question 36

occipital lobe

Answer 36

processing visual information

Question 37

temporal lobe

Answer 37

speech/language, processing emotion and auditory information

Question 38

parietal lobe

Answer 38

spatial reasoning, integration of information from sensory modalities

Question 39

frontal lobe

Answer 39

cognition control, working memory, planning, decision making, inhibitory control

Question 40

association areas

Answer 40

lie between major sensory/motor areas, great deal of interactivity

Question 41

cerebral hemispheres

Answer 41

two halves of the cortex, correspond with opposite side of the body

Question 42

corpus callosum

Answer 42

dense tract of connective nerves between the two brain hemispheres

Question 43

cerebral lateralization

Answer 43

specialization of the hemispheres for different modes of processing

Question 44

neurogenesis

Answer 44

proliferation of neurons through cell division, begins 42 days after conception

Question 45

arborization

Answer 45

formation of new dentritic trees/branches

Question 46

spines

Answer 46

increase dendrites capacity to form connections with other neurons

Question 47

mylenation

Answer 47

formation of myelin sheath around some axons become "white matter"

Question 48

synaptogenesis

Answer 48

neurons form synapses with other neurons, results in trillions of connections

Question 49

synaptic pruning

Answer 49

synapses that are rarely activated are eliminated primarily through puberty into adulthood

Question 50

plasticity

Answer 50

capacity of the brain to be affected by experience, allows less information to be encoded into genes children's brains are more plastic than adults

Question 51

experience-expectant plasticity

Answer 51

normal wiring of the brain due to species-typical experiences ex. Hubel and Wiesel kitten eye experiment

Question 52

experience-dependant plasticity

Answer 52

neural connections are created and reorganized throughout life as a function of the individual's experiences richer the environment, more connections

Question 53

secular trends

Answer 53

marked changes in physical development that have occurred over generations ex. height, menstration

Question 54

benefits of breatfeeding

Answer 54

free of bacteria, free, contains mother's antibodies, skin-to-skin

Question 55

food neophobia

Answer 55

unwillingness to eat new foods

Question 56

vaccine benefits

Answer 56

eradication of some deadly childhood diseases some hesitant due to false research on autism and MMR vaccine