Introduction to Evolution and Behavior Genetics

Survival of the fittest

Adaptation leads to gene propagation in species.

Evolution

Process of species developing from earlier forms.

Homeostasis

Stable internal environment maintained by organisms.

Neurons

Building blocks of the nervous system.

Semipermeable membrane

Allows small, uncharged molecules to pass.

Neurotransmission

Communication between neurons via chemical signals.

Reuptake

Process where neurons reclaim neurotransmitters.

Resting State

Imbalance of sodium and potassium in neurons.

Maintenance

Sodium-potassium pumps stabilize ion concentrations.

Action Potential

Signal triggering neuron firing after threshold is reached.

Agonist

Substance mimicking neurotransmitter effects.

Behavior Genetics

Study of genetic influences on behavior.

Genain Sisters

Identical quadruplets with schizophrenia, studied for genetics.

Charles Darwin

Proposed natural selection drives morphological change.

Francis Galton

Pioneered twin studies in behavior genetics.

Dog breeds

Debate on inherent danger levels among breeds.

Domestication of dogs

Occurred 15,000-30,000 years ago in Europe.

Semi-domesticated cats

Can interbreed with wild species.

Common ancestors

Humans share lineage with flies.

CT scan

Imaging technique for visualizing internal structures.

PET scan

Measures metabolic processes in the body.

MRI

Imaging technique for soft tissue visualization.

fMRI

Measures brain activity through blood flow.

EEG

Records electrical activity of the brain.

Rodent behavioral measures

Tests like running wheel and forced swim.

Cage/House Experiment

Introduce intruder mouse to resident mouse.

Behavior Genetics

Studies individual differences in behavior.

Typological Thinking

Individual differences seen as errors.

Population Thinking

Individual differences viewed as normal.

Categorical vs. Continuous

Different approaches to mental health assessment.

Genetic Differences

Associated with individual differences in behavior.

Mechanisms of Behavior

Ways genetic differences influence behavior.

Animal Models

Used to study genetic influences on behavior.

Homologous Regions

Similar genetic sequences across species.

Inbred Strains

Genetically uniform populations for research.

Knockout

Inactivate a gene permanently at DNA level.

Knockdown

Reduce gene expression at mRNA level.

Knockin

Insert gene sequence at DNA level.

HeLa Cells

First immortal human cell line for research.

Henrietta Lacks

Source of HeLa cells, died from cancer.

Cancer Research

HeLa cells contributed to cancer studies.

IRB

Ensures ethical oversight in human research.

Informed Consent

Participants must agree to research terms.

IACUC

Ethical oversight for animal research.

Gregor Mendel

Father of modern genetics, studied pea plants.

Dancing Disease

Early case study of Huntington's Disease.

Selective Breeding

Farmers historically bred plants for desired traits.

Variables

Quantitative and categorical data types in genetics.

Phenotype

Observable traits resulting from genotype expression.

Genotype

Inherited alleles determining an organism's traits.

Dominant Allele

Uppercase letter representing a dominant trait.

Recessive Allele

Lowercase letter representing a recessive trait.

Mendel's First Law

Law of Segregation; alleles separate during gamete formation.

Homozygous Dominant

Two identical dominant alleles for a trait.

Heterozygous

One dominant and one recessive allele for a trait.

Homozygous Recessive

Two identical recessive alleles for a trait.

Law of Dominance

Only one trait appears in the first generation.

Law of Independent Assortment

Different genes segregate independently during gamete formation.

Dihybrid Crosses

Cross involving two traits, producing various offspring.

Huntington's Disease

Genetic disorder causing personality changes and motor loss.

Chromosome Mapping

Determining gene locations on chromosomes for inheritance.

Backcross

Breeding a hybrid organism with one of its parents.

Linkage

Genes located close together on a chromosome.

Variance

Measurement of data points' deviation from the mean.

Genetic Variance (VG)

Variation in traits due to genetic differences.

Environmental Variance (VE)

Variation in traits due to environmental factors.

Heritability

Proportion of trait variance attributed to genetics.

Broad-sense Heritability (H2)

H2 = VG/Vp; total genetic contribution to variance.

Narrow-sense Heritability (h2)

h2 = VA/VP; additive genetic variance contribution.

Gene-Environment Interaction (GXE)

Interaction between genetic predispositions and environmental factors.

Sandra Scarr's Model

Describes gene-environment interactions in child development.