Environmental Influences

Flashcards covering genotype-environment interactions, physical growth patterns, hormones, malnutrition (stunting, wasting, Marasmus, Kwashiorkor), and environmental influences such as illness and quality of care based on developmental psychology lecture notes.

How do genes affect development and behavior?

Genes affect development and behavior only through the manufacture of proteins.

What primarily controls the switching on and off of genes in the body?

The switching on and off of genes is controlled primarily by regulator genes.

How does the example of Phenylketonuria (PKU) illustrate the relationship between genotype and environment?

A given genotype can result in different phenotypes — intellectual developmental disorder or relatively normal intelligence — depending on environmental circumstances like diet.

What is the epigenetic mechanism that silences gene expression by blocking transcription in the promoter region of a gene?

Methylation.

According to the study by Plomin et al. (2016), how does the heritability of intelligence change throughout development?

The heritability of intelligence increases linearly from infancy ($20\%\text{ heritability}$) through adulthood ($60\%\text{ heritability}$).

What does the behavioral genetics finding "Abnormal is normal" refer to?

It is the 10th replicated finding from behavioral genetics research, suggesting that the genetic influences on abnormal behavior are the same as those for normal variation.

Which hormone is associated with the adolescent growth spurt, bone growth, and muscular growth?

Androgens (produced by the adrenal glands).

What are the roles of Testosterone in male development?

It directs the direction of male reproductive organs before birth and later influences the maturation of male reproductive organs, voice changes, and facial/body hair.

What is the difference between primary and secondary sex characteristics?

Primary sex characteristics are physical changes directly involved in reproduction (sex organs), while secondary sex characteristics are external changes in other organs.

In terms of childhood malnutrition, what is the definition of "stunting"?

Stunting is being short for one’s age, which can lead to potentially severe irreversible physical and cognitive damage.

How is "wasting" defined in the context of child nutrition?

Wasting is being thin for one’s age, which results in weakened immunity, long-term developmental delays, and an increased risk of death.

What causes the severe undernutrition disease known as Marasmus?

Marasmus is caused by receiving insufficient protein and too few calories, often affecting babies whose mothers are malnourished or if they are separated from their mother.

What are the physical symptoms of Kwashiorkor?

Symptoms include thinning hair, face, legs, and abdomen swelling with water (edema), and severe skin lesions.

What were the long-term metabolic and mental phenotypes associated with prenatal exposure to the Dutch famine in Winter 1944?

Exposure was associated with higher BMI, elevated plasma lipids, increased risks of schizophrenia, and increased risk of cardiovascular disease.

What are the physical symptoms and risks associated with Mumps?

Mumps causes painful swelling in the salivary glands and can lead to swelling in the testes for men, which can result in sterility.

Why is contracting Rubella (German measles) particularly dangerous for people who are pregnant?

It causes major complications including birth defects such as deafness and intellectual disabilities.

What was the outcome of the 1998 paper by Wakefield and colleagues regarding the MMR vaccine?

The paper suggested a false link between the MMR vaccine and autism; the work was later discredited and retracted as a fraud.

According to World Health Organization (WHO) data, approximately how many deaths are averted annually by immunization?

Immunization currently averts an estimated $2\text{ to } 3\text{ million}$ deaths every year.

What is the leading cause of childhood mortality in the first $4\text{ years}$ of life in industrialized countries?

Accidents (unintentional harm).

Regarding childhood accidents, which gender is more likely to sustain unintentional injuries?

Boys are $1.5\text{ times}$ more likely than girls to sustain unintentional injuries.