AP Psych Vocabulary- Module 11

behavior genetics

the study of the relative power and limits of genetic and environmental influences on behavior

heredity

the genetic transfer of characteristics from parents to offspring

environment

every nongenetic influence, from prenatal nutrition to the people and things around us

chromosomes

threadlike structures made of DNA molecules that contain the genes

DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid)

a complex molecule containing the genetic information that makes up the chromosomes

genes

the biochemical units of heredity that make up the chromosomes; small segments of DNA capable of synthesizing proteins

genome

the complete instructions for making an organism, consisting of all the genetic material in that organism’s chromosomes

identical (monozygotic) twins

individuals who developed from a single fertilized egg that split in two, creating two genetically identical organisms

fraternal (dizygotic) twins

individuals who developed from separate fertilized eggs. they are genetically no closer than ordinary siblings, but shared a prenatal environment

temperament

a person’s characteristic emotional reactivity and intensity

heritability

the proportion of variation among individuals in a group that we can attribute to genes. the heritability of a trait may vary, depending on the range of populations and environments studied

interaction

the interplay that occurs when the effect of one factor (such as the environment) depends on another factor such as heredity)

molecular genetics

the subfield of biology that studies the molecular structure and function of genes

molecular behavior genetics

the study of how the structure and function of genes interact with our environment to influence behavior

epigenetics

“above“ or “in addition to” (epi) genetics; the study of the molecular mechanisms by which environments can influence gene expression (without a DNA change)