chapter 3 Flashcards
Which chromosome is the sex chromosome?
23rd
What are the 3 major issues studied by developmental psychologists?
- nature and nurture
- continuity and stages
- stability and change
describe nature and nurture
how does our nature (genetics) interact with our experiences (nurture) to influence our development
describe continuity and stages
what parts of development are gradual and continuous, like riding an escalator? What parts change abruptly in separate stages, like climbing rungs on a ladder?
describe stability and change
Which of our traits persist through life? How do we change as we age?
What are chromosomes?
threadlike structures that contain the DNA
What are genes?
can be active or inactive, events in the environment can activate them; the biochemical units of heredity that make up the chromosomes; segment of DNA
What is heredity?
the genetic transfer of characteristics from parents to offspring
What is a genome?
the complete instructions for making an organism, consisting of all the genetic material in that organism’s chromosomes
What is DNA?
a molecule containing the genetic information that makes up the chromosomes
What is developmental psychology?
branch of psychology that studies physical, cognitive, and social change throughout the life span
What constitutes our environment?
every external influence
What is a zygote?
fertilized egg, conception to 2 weeks; rapid cell division
What is an embryo?
the developing human organism from about 2 weeks after fertilization through the second month; 2 weeks through 8 weeks
What are identical twins?
twins who develop from a single fertilized egg that splits in 2, creating 2 genetically identical siblings
