PSYC100 W3: Genetics and Evolution

Adoption study

A behavioral genetic research method involving comparing adopted kids to both their adoptive and biological parents

Behavioral genetics

The study of how genes and environment influence behavior

Heritability coefficient

A statistical construct that aims to measure the role of genetics in the explanation of differences amongst individuals

Quantitative genetics

Methods for inferring genetic and environmental processes based on how similar organisms are genetically and environmentally

Twin studies

A behavioral genetic research method involving the comparison of fraternal and identical twins

Adaptations

Traits that are passed onto offspring because they are favorable in that given environment

Error management theory

Theory that human decision-making mechanisms evolved to minimize fitness cost of errors rather than sheer number of errors

Evolution

Change in a population’s gene pool over time

Gene selection theory

Theory of evolution by selection where differential gene replication is the defining process of evolution

Intrasexual selection

Sexual selection where evolution occurs due to mate preferences of one sex exerting selection pressure on members of the opposite sex

Intrasexual competition

Sexual selection where members of one sex compete with the victors getting first choice with the opposite sex

Natural selection

Traits that are advantageous in a given environment are “selected for” and passed on to offspring

Psychological adaptations

Mechanisms of the mind that evolved to solve specific problems of survival or reproduction

Sexual selection

The evolution of characteristics because of the mating advantage they give organisms

Sexual strategies theory

Evolutionary theory of human mating that defines different mating strategies humans pursue, problems faced pursuing these strategies, and evolved solutions to these problems

Gene

A specific DNA sequence that codes for a specific protein/trait

Epigenetics

Study of heritable changes in gene expression not caused by changes in DNA sequence, including covalent DNA modifications and posttranslational histone modifications

Epigenome

The genome-wide distribution of epigenetic marks

DNA methylation

Covalent modifications of mammalian DNA occurring via the methylation of cytosine usually in the CpG dinucleotide

DNA methyltransferases

Enzymes responsible for DNA methylation using methyl-group donor compounds or cofactors

Genome-wide association study

Study that maps DNA polymorphisms in affected individuals and controls matches for age, sex, and ethnic background to identify causal genetic variants

Genotype

The alleles an organism has

Phenotype

The way an organism’s alleles present themselves

Histone acetyltransferases

Enzymes that transfer acetyl groups to specific positions on histone tails, promoting an “open” chromatin state

Histone deacetylases

Enzymes that remove acetyl groups, resulting in a “closed” chromatin state

Histone modifications

Posttranslational modifications of the N-terminal “tails” of histone proteins that serve as a major mode of epigenetic regulation, including acetylation, phosphorylation, methylation, sumoylation, ubiquitination, and ADP-ribosylation.

Identical twins

Two individual organisms from the same zygote and are genetically identical