Key word defs Flashcards
(106 cards)
Genome
All the DNA
Gene
Sequence of DNA which codes for proteins, not all DNA is genes there is DNA between them which has other functions
Single nucelotide polymorphisms
small differences in dna sequence where a single base is altered
DNA sequence overlap
the degree of similarity between peoples DNA dependent on relatedness
Copy number variants
Lesions where parts of chromosomes are either missing or duplicated. They are always heterozygous as being on both chromosomes isn’t compatible with life. Inheritted or de novo.
Cross fostering
Having two batches of babies and swapping the mothers babies so they raise their non biological offspring, used to find out the genetic contribution of traits
Shared environment
A confound in family and twin studies, we tend to live with our first degree relatives making it hard to seperate what we have got from them genetically and what we have learned from them envoironmentally
equal environments assumption
assuming that twins share the exact same environment either outside the womb (MZ twins are treated differently than DZ) or inutero (degree of amniotic sac sharing)
genetic determinism
we are entirely predisposed to be how we are based on our genes, dangerous as can be used to justify inequality and eugenics
Blank slate ideology
we have no psychologically innate traits we are solely our experience
Passive gene environment correlation
parents who transmit genes to their children also help to create the environment they are reared in
evocative gene environment correlation
environments people experience are in part a function of how others react to their genetically influenced behaviour
active gene environment correlation
individuals actively construct their environments by selecting experiences that reinforce or complement their inherited abilities, dispositions and interests`
G×E Contextual Triggering
genetic effects are triggered or amplified by exposure to high risk environment e.g. MAO-A gene
- G×E Social Context as Social Control
the existence of environments that suppress the expression of genetic effects. Typically, this suppression occurs because the environment limits individual choice.
Heritability
Estimate of the overall genetic contribution of a condition.
Ascertainment bias
certain features impact on the incidence of a certain trait/ disorder e.g. parents of boys are more likely to go to the gp about certain symptoms and therefore the boys are more likely to get a diagnosis/ help, so is it true that boys have higher risk etc or just that there is ascertainment bias
Linkage mapping
Look at the incidence of a given trait/ disorder in an extended family and use DNA markers to narrow down the bits of the genome which are transmitted within the condition across family members
Mendelian disorders
Fully penetrant, a type of genetic disorder primarily resulting due to alterations in one gene
Penetrance
how damaging it is
Non mendelian
multigenic conditions
Association studies
‘Is there a reliable (statistically significant) enrichment of a given genetic variant (i.e. difference in DNA sequence) in cases (people with the disorder) than in an independent sample of control (healthy) subjects?
candidate led studies
are variants in my favourite gene suspect associated with disorder <– pick a gene and then test, hypothesise
GWAS
genome wide association studies- start with no hypothesis or expected gene. screen whole genome and look for differences between cases and controls