Behavioral Genetics, Epigenetics, and Evolutionary Psychology

Vocabulary flashcards generated from lecture notes covering behavioral genetics, gene-environment interactions, epigenetic mechanisms, and chromosomal disorders.

Behavioral genetics

An interdisciplinary field studying genetic contributions to individual differences in behavior and personality.

Genotype

The specific combination of genes a person receives.

Phenotype

How genes are actually expressed in the individual, which environment can influence.

Alleles

The two forms of a gene (one from each parent).

Homozygous

A condition where both alleles of a gene are the same.

Heterozygous

A condition where the two alleles of a gene differ.

Dominant allele

The allele whose trait is expressed in the individual.

Recessive allele

The allele that is NOT expressed unless paired with another recessive allele.

X-linked inheritance

An inheritance pattern that causes differences in trait expression between biological males and females.

Polygenic inheritance

An inheritance pattern in which multiple genes combine to produce a single trait (such as height, skin color, autism, schizophrenia, or learning disabilities).

Mutations

Alterations in DNA ranging from a single base to a large chromosome segment that can be inherited or new.

Epigenetics

The study of stable changes in gene expression that happen without changing the underlying DNA sequence.

Fragile X syndrome

A genetic disorder resulting from a mutation that silences a gene critical to development on the X chromosome.

FMRP

A needed protein that a silenced gene fails to produce in Fragile X syndrome, leading to reduced neuronal activity.

Down syndrome

A chromosomal disorder caused by an extra chromosome in the ovum, resulting in intellectual disability, delays, heart conditions, and progressive dementia.

Klinefelter syndrome

A chromosomal disorder characterized by an extra X chromosome in biological males, which can delay puberty and cause infertility.

Heritability

The proportion of variation in a trait within a population that is due to variation in genes.

Twin studies

A research design that compares identical versus fraternal twins to separate genetic versus environmental contributions.

Adoption design

A research design comparing correlations between biological parents and their adopted-away children versus adoptive parents and their genetically unrelated children.

Genome-wide association study (GWAS)

A scientific method that identifies specific genes linked to a disorder or trait.