Introduction & Module 4.1 - Genetics & Evolution of Behaviour Flashcards Preview

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Flashcards in Introduction & Module 4.1 - Genetics & Evolution of Behaviour Deck (56)
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1
Q

What is biological psychology?

A

The study of the psychological, evolutionary and developmental mechanisms of behaviour and experience

2
Q

What is the physiological explanation of behaviour?

A

It relates a behaviour to the activity of the brain and other organs.

3
Q

What is the ontogenetic explanation?

A

Describes how a structured or behaviour develops including the influence of genes, nutrition, experiences and their interactions.

4
Q

What is the evolutionary explanation?

A

Reconstructs the evolutionary history of a structure of behaviour (usually modified functions).

5
Q

What is the functional explanation?

A

Describes why a structure of behaviour has evolved as it did.

6
Q

What did Mendel demonstrate?

A

Mendel demonstrated that inheritance occurs through genes.

7
Q

What are genes?

A

Units of heredity that maintain their structural identity from one generation to another.

8
Q

How does DNA turn into proteins?

A

A strand of DNA serves as a model for the synthesis of ribonucleic acid (RNA) molecules, a single stranded molecule. DNA contains 4 bases - adenine, guanine, cytosine and thymine. The order of the bases determines the order of the bases of RNA - adenine, guanine, cytosine and uracil. The order of the RNA bases determines the order of the amino acids that creates a protein. Proteins consist of 20 amino acids and the order of those amino acids depends on the order of the DNA and RNA bases.

9
Q

What are the 4 bases for DNA?

A

adenine, guanine, cytosine, thymine

10
Q

What are the 4 bases for RNA?

A

adenine, guanine, cytosine, uracil

11
Q

What are proteins?

A

Proteins are made up of 20 amino acids. Proteins form parts of structures of the body or as enzymes (biological catalysts that regulate chemical reactions in the body).

12
Q

What functions does RNA have?

A

RNA provides code for proteins and some perform regulatory functions.

13
Q

What are homozygous genes?

A

Identical genes

14
Q

What are an unmatched pair of genes called?

A

Heterozygous

15
Q

What are the genes on the sex chromosome known as? What are other chromosomes/genes known as?

A

Sex-linked genes (X and Y)

Autosomal genes

16
Q

What are sex-limited genes

A

The genes are present on the autosomal chromosomes and are present in both sexes but mainly active in one sex (i.e. chest hair, breast size).

17
Q

What is mutation?

A

A heritable change in a DNA molecule i.e. changing one base leads to a change in amino acids. Mutation is also duplication or deletion. Duplication is where part of the chromosome appears twice and deletion is where part of the chromosome does not appear at all.

18
Q

What are microdeletions and microduplications?

A

When process happens to a tiny portion of chromosome. Microduplication or microdeletion may cause schizophrenia.

19
Q

What is epigenetics?

A

Changes in the genes expression. Various experiences can turn a gene on or off. Learning something means an increase in brain activity in certain genes in certain cells while decreasing other activity in others.

20
Q

What are histones?

A

Histones bind DNA into a shape like string wrapped around a ball. Histone molecules have loose ends to which certain chemical groups can attach. To activate a gene the DNA must partially unwind from the histones. The result of an experience alters the chemical environment within a cell.

21
Q

What is high heritability?

A

When variations in some differences depends largely on genetic differences. Traits with high heritability can be modified by the environment (i.e. phenylketonuria (PKU) - a genetic inability to metabolise phenylalanine (an amino acid). If a baby has PKU it is put on a low phenylalanine diet.

22
Q

What are monozygotic and dizygotic twins?

A

Mono - one egg twins

Di - two egg twins

23
Q

What do genes do?

A

Genes produce a protein that impacts on behaviour

24
Q

What is evolution? What is evolutionary psychology?

A

A change over generations in the frequencies of various genes in a population.
How behaviours are evolved.

25
Q

What is altruistic behaviour?

A

An action that benefits someone other than the actor.

26
Q

What are the biological explanations of behaviour?

A

Physiological
Ontogenetic
Evolutionary
Functional

27
Q

What is the physiological explanation of behaviour?

A

Relationship of behaviour to the brain and other organs. It deals with the machinery of the body.

28
Q

What is the ontogenetic explanation of behaviour?

A

Describes how a structure or behaviour develops, including the influence of genes, nutrition, experiences, and their interactions.

29
Q

What is the evolutionary explanation of behaviour?

A

Reconstructs the evolutionary history of a structure or behaviour. The characteristics of an animal are almost always modifications of something found in ancestral species.

30
Q

What is the functional explanation of behaviour?

A

Describes why a structure of behaviour has evolved as it did. Within a small, isolated population, a gene can spread by accident through a process called genetic drift. A gene that is prevalent in a large population probably provided some advantage.

31
Q

What is meant by “monoism”?

A

The idea that the mind is made of the same substance as the rest of the universe

32
Q

Of the following, which one is an example of an evolutionary explanation (as oposed to a functional explanation)?

a. People evolved a fear of snakes because many snakes are dangerous
b. Humans have a (tiny) tailbone because our ancient monkey-like ancestors had a tail
c. People evolved a tendency to form long-term male-female bonds because human infants benefit from the help of two parents during their long period of dependency
d. People evolved an ability to recognise faces because that ability is essential for cooperative social behaviours

A

b. Humans have a (tiny) tailbone because our ancient monkey-like ancestors had a tail

33
Q

Of the following, which is a reason favouring the use of animals in biological psychology research at solving human problems?

a. Nonhuman animals engage in all the same behaviours as humans
b. One human differs from another, but nonhumans are nearly the same as one another
c. The nervous system of nonhuman animals resembles that of humans in many ways

A

c. The nervous system of nonhuman animals resembles that of humans in many ways

34
Q

What does a “minimalist” favour with regards to animal research?

Select one:

a. All research should have a minimum of at least 10 animals per group
b. A minimum of three people should review each research proposal
c. Interference with animal research should be held to a minimum
d. Animal research is permissible but should be held to a minimum

A

d. Animal research is permissible but should be held to a minimum

35
Q

Which one is not one of the three Rs of animal research?

Select one:

a. Reduce
b. Refine
c. Reuse
d. Replace

A

c. Reuse

36
Q

Which of the following is false?

Select one:

a. A functional explanation describes why a structure or a behaviour evolved as it did
b. According to Kalat, there seems to be a significant degree of heritability in almost every behaviour Incorrect
c. A gene which shows its effects only in the homozygous condition is a recessive gene
d. Evolution benefits the individual more than the species

A

d. Evolution benefits the individual more than the species

37
Q

Suppose you have high sensitivity to the taste of PTC. If your mother also has high sensitivity, what (if anything) can you predict about your father’s taste sensitivity?

a. He has high taste sensitivity
b. We do not have enough information to make a prediction
c. He has low taste sensitivity

A

b. We do not have enough information to make a prediction

38
Q

Suppose you have high sensitivity to the taste of PTC. If your mother has low sensitivity, what (if anything) can we predict about your father’s taste sensitivity?

Select one:

a. He has high taste sensitivity
b. He has low taste sensitivity
c. We do not have enough information to make a prediction

A

a. He has high taste sensitivity

39
Q

What is a sex-limited gene?

Select one:

a. A gene on the X chromosome
b. A gene that sex hormones activate
c. A gene that becomes active during sexual activity
d. A gene on the Y chromosome

A

b. A gene that sex hormones activate

40
Q

Suppose someone identifies a “gene for” certain aspects of sexual development. In what ways might that statement be misleading?

Select one:

a. Many aspects of sexual development are not apparent until puberty
b. Almost any characteristic depends on many genes, as well as influences from the environment
c. The statement didn’t specify whether the gene was dominant or recessive

A

b. Almost any characteristic depends on many genes, as well as influences from the environment

41
Q

How does an epigenetic change differ from a mutation?

Select one:

a. An epigenetic change is beneficial, whereas a mutation in harmful
b. An epigenetic change is a duplication or deletion of part of a gene
c. An epigenetic gene change alters more than one gene at a time
d. An epigenetic change is an alteration of gene activity without structurally replacing any part of the gene itself

A

d. An epigenetic change is an alteration of gene activity without structurally replacing any part of the gene itself

42
Q

How does adding a methyl or acetyl group to a histone protein alter gene activity?

Select one:

a. A methyl group increases the probability of a maturation, whereas an acetyl group decreases the probability
b. A methyl group turns genes on. A acetyl group tightens histone’s grip and decreases gene activation
c. A methyl group decreases the probability of a maturation, whereas an acetyl group increases the probability
d. A methyl group turns genes off. A acetyl group loses histone’s grip and increases gene activation

A

d. A methyl group turns genes off. A acetyl group looses histone’s grip and increases gene activation

43
Q

Which of the following is not one of the main types of evidence to estimate the heritability of some behaviour

Select one:

a. Comparisons between monozygotic and dizygotic twins
b. Examination of identified genes that might vary between people showing one behaviour and another
c. Similarities between adopted children and their biological parents
d. Comparisons of people living in different cultures

A

d. Comparisons of people living in different cultures

44
Q

Suppose someone determines the heritability of IQ scores for a given population. The society changes in a way that provides the best possible opportunity for everyone within that population. How will the heritability of IQ change, if at all?

Select one:

a. Heritability will increase
b. Heritability will stay the same
c. Heritability will decrease

A

a. Heritability will increase

45
Q

The information about phenylketonuria (PKU) supports which of these conclusions?

Select one:

a. Each brain area controls a different behavioural function
b. A change in the environment can alter the effects of a gene
c. Epigenetic changes depend on methyl and acetate groups
d. Several genes active in the human brain are not found in other species

A

b. A change in the environment can alter the effects of a gene

46
Q

What, if anything, can we predict about the future of human evolution?

Select one:

a. People will get smarter, wiser and more cooperative
b. People will become more like whichever people tend to have the most children
c. People will not change, because evolution no longer affects humans

A

b. People will become more like whichever people tend to have the most children

47
Q

Which of these is the least acceptable explanation for how an altruistic gene might spread in a population?

Select one:

a. Selection for helping individuals who might return the favour
b. Selection for genes that benefit the species
c. Selection for groups that are more cooperative than other groups
d. Selection for a gene that benefits the individuals’ relatives

A

b. Selection for genes that benefit the species

48
Q

How does a sex-linked gene differ from a sex-limited gene?

A

A sex-linked gene is on the X or Y chromosome. A sex-limited gene is on an autosomal chromosome, but activated in one sex more than in the other.

49
Q

Suppose someone identifies a “gene for” certain aspects of sexual development. In what ways might that statement be misleading?

A

Almost any characteristic depends on more than one gene, as well as influences from the environment.

50
Q

How does an epigenetic change differ from a mutation?

A

A mutation is a permanent change in part of a chromosome. An epigenetic change is an increase or decrease in the activity of a gene or group of genes.

51
Q

How does adding a methyl or acetyl group to a histone protein alter gene activity?

A

Adding a methyl group turns genes off. An acetyl group loosens histone’s grip and increases gene activation.

52
Q

What are the main types of evidence to estimate the heritability of some behaviour?

A

One type of evidence is greater similarity between monozygotic twins than dizygotic twins. Another is resemblance between adopted children and their biological parents. A third is demonstration that a particular gene is more common than average among people who show a similar behaviour.

53
Q

What example illustrates the point that even if some characteristics is highly heritable, a change in the environment can alter it?

A

Keeping a child with the PKU gene on a strict low-phenylalanine diet prevents them from mental retardation that the gene ordinarily causes. The general point is that sometimes a highly heritable condition can be modified environmentally.

54
Q

Many people believe the human appendix is useless. Will it become smaller and smaller with each generation?

A

No. Failure to need a structure does not make it smaller in the next generation. The appendix will shrink only if people with a gene for a smaller appendix reproduce more successfully than other people do.

55
Q

What are plausible ways for possible altruistic genes to spread in a population?

A

Altruistic genes could spread because they facilitate care for one’s kin or because they facilitate exchanges of favour with others (reciprocal altruism). Group selection may also work under some circumstances, especially if the cooperative group has some way to punish or expel an uncooperative individual.

56
Q

What is a sex-limited gene?

A

A gene that sex hormones activate.