*Genetic Contributions to Psychological Disorders

These flashcards cover key terms and concepts related to genetic contributions and chromosomal disorders in the context of psychological disorders.

Karyotype

An organized picture of all chromosomes in a cell, lined up by size, shape, and number.

Chromosomes

Structures made of coiled deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) containing genetic information.

Base Pairs

Pairs of nitrogenous bases (Adenine, Thymine, Cytosine, Guanine) that form the double helix structure of DNA.

Chromosomal Disorders

Disorders caused by abnormalities in the number or structure of chromosomes during reproduction.

Huntington Disease

A genetic disorder that causes the progressive breakdown of nerve cells in the brain.

Fragile X Syndrome

A genetic condition causing a range of developmental issues including learning disabilities and cognitive impairment.

Diabetes

A complex disorder, often polygenic, characterized by high blood sugar levels.

Schizophrenia

A polygenic disorder characterized by persistent delusions, hallucinations, and disorganized thinking.

Epigenome

A set of chemical modifications to the DNA and histone proteins of an organism which regulate gene expression.

Diathesis-Stress Model

A psychological theory that explains behavior as a result of both genetic and environmental factors.

Gene-Environment Correlation Model

A model positing that genetic predispositions can influence how individuals interact with their environment.

Psychological Disorder

A mental health condition that affects an individual's thinking, feeling, and behavior.

Diathesis

A susceptibility to develop a certain disorder.