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Questions and Answers
Questions and Answers
Which of the following best describes the focus of behavioral genetics?
Which of the following best describes the focus of behavioral genetics?
- The study of the inheritance of physical traits only.
- The study of how genes and environment interact to shape behavior. (correct)
- The manipulation of genes to cure behavioral disorders.
- The study of gene frequencies in populations.
A behavior that is highly heritable is:
A behavior that is highly heritable is:
- Very likely to be passed down from parent to offspring. (correct)
- Guaranteed to be expressed identically in all individuals.
- Solely determined by genetic factors.
- Not influenced by environmental factors at all.
Which of the following is considered an individual's genetic blueprint?
Which of the following is considered an individual's genetic blueprint?
- Genotype (correct)
- Transcriptome
- Phenotype
- Ethogram
What does gene-environment interaction (GEI) tell us?
What does gene-environment interaction (GEI) tell us?
Which characteristic defines a fixed action pattern (FAP)?
Which characteristic defines a fixed action pattern (FAP)?
How does the graylag goose retrieving an egg demonstrate genetic control over behavior?
How does the graylag goose retrieving an egg demonstrate genetic control over behavior?
Which of the following is a key difference between PCR and qPCR?
Which of the following is a key difference between PCR and qPCR?
What is the primary purpose of gel electrophoresis?
What is the primary purpose of gel electrophoresis?
Why are microsatellites useful in studying genetic diversity?
Why are microsatellites useful in studying genetic diversity?
What unusual reproductive strategy was observed in California condors?
What unusual reproductive strategy was observed in California condors?
What is the main distinction between GWAS and QTL mapping?
What is the main distinction between GWAS and QTL mapping?
How do knockout techniques contribute to understanding the function of specific genes in behavior?
How do knockout techniques contribute to understanding the function of specific genes in behavior?
Which traits were observed in the domesticated silver foxes?
Which traits were observed in the domesticated silver foxes?
What is an ethogram?
What is an ethogram?
What is the role of the HPG axis, and how is it affected by stress?
What is the role of the HPG axis, and how is it affected by stress?
What role does GnIH have in reproduction?
What role does GnIH have in reproduction?
How does transcriptomic analysis aid in understanding behavioral changes?
How does transcriptomic analysis aid in understanding behavioral changes?
What do MA plots depict?
What do MA plots depict?
In the Calisi Lab's pigeon parenting research, what was the purpose of tracking gene expression in the HPG axis?
In the Calisi Lab's pigeon parenting research, what was the purpose of tracking gene expression in the HPG axis?
How did removing or replacing eggs/chicks help test hypotheses about gene expression changes in pigeon parents?
How did removing or replacing eggs/chicks help test hypotheses about gene expression changes in pigeon parents?
Approximately what percentage of the genome codes for proteins?
Approximately what percentage of the genome codes for proteins?
How does comparative genomics aid the study of animal behavior?
How does comparative genomics aid the study of animal behavior?
What do GWAS and Manhattan plots identify?
What do GWAS and Manhattan plots identify?
What is a significant challenge in studying polygenic behavioral traits?
What is a significant challenge in studying polygenic behavioral traits?
What is pleiotropy?
What is pleiotropy?
What is the significance of comparative genomics in understanding the evolution of behavior?
What is the significance of comparative genomics in understanding the evolution of behavior?
Why must researchers be cautious when interpreting associations between genes and behavior?
Why must researchers be cautious when interpreting associations between genes and behavior?
Which of the following is an ethical concern when editing genes?
Which of the following is an ethical concern when editing genes?
What can cause de-extinction efforts to fail at recreating the behaviors of extinct animals?
What can cause de-extinction efforts to fail at recreating the behaviors of extinct animals?
How do bioinformatics tools aid the search for behaviorally relevant mutations?
How do bioinformatics tools aid the search for behaviorally relevant mutations?
What is a key reason to consider the environment when studying behavioral traits?
What is a key reason to consider the environment when studying behavioral traits?
What does the genetic complexity of behavior imply about the rate of behavioral evolution?
What does the genetic complexity of behavior imply about the rate of behavioral evolution?
What is the difference between a signal and a cue in animal communication?
What is the difference between a signal and a cue in animal communication?
How do sensory system differences across species affect their communication strategies?
How do sensory system differences across species affect their communication strategies?
How has environmental noise affected the songs of urban birds?
How has environmental noise affected the songs of urban birds?
What is aposematic coloration?
What is aposematic coloration?
What did the Saporito (2007) clay frog experiment demonstrate about predator learning?
What did the Saporito (2007) clay frog experiment demonstrate about predator learning?
How do group-living caterpillars benefit from a shared warning signal?
How do group-living caterpillars benefit from a shared warning signal?
What is courtship signaling?
What is courtship signaling?
What is the Red Queen hypothesis?
What is the Red Queen hypothesis?
What is Batesian mimicry?
What is Batesian mimicry?
What is the key benefit of Müllerian mimicry?
What is the key benefit of Müllerian mimicry?
What is aggressive mimicry?
What is aggressive mimicry?
What is signal interception (eavesdropping) in animal communication?
What is signal interception (eavesdropping) in animal communication?
What are extended phenotype signals?
What are extended phenotype signals?
Questions and Answers
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Flashcards
Flashcards
What is behavioral genetics?
What is behavioral genetics?
The study of how genes and environment interact to shape behavior.
High heritability meaning?
High heritability meaning?
Behavior is likely passed down; however, environment can still influence highly heritable traits.
Genotype vs. Phenotype
Genotype vs. Phenotype
Genotype is the genetic blueprint (DNA, alleles); phenotype is the observed behavior.
Gene-environment interaction (GEI)
Gene-environment interaction (GEI)
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Fixed action pattern (FAP)
Fixed action pattern (FAP)
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Graylag goose egg-retrieval behavior
Graylag goose egg-retrieval behavior
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PCR use in genetics?
PCR use in genetics?
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Purpose of gel electrophoresis?
Purpose of gel electrophoresis?
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What are microsatellites?
What are microsatellites?
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Parthenogenesis
Parthenogenesis
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GWAS vs. QTL mapping
GWAS vs. QTL mapping
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Knockout techniques and CRISPR-Cas9
Knockout techniques and CRISPR-Cas9
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Domesticated silver foxes traits
Domesticated silver foxes traits
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Ethogram
Ethogram
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HPG axis
HPG axis
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GnIH role in reproduction
GnIH role in reproduction
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How does transcriptomic analysis help?
How does transcriptomic analysis help?
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What is an MA plot?
What is an MA plot?
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Non-coding DNA influence?
Non-coding DNA influence?
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Linking behaviors to genes is difficult
Linking behaviors to genes is difficult
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How to use GWAS to identify behaviors?
How to use GWAS to identify behaviors?
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Challenges of polygenic traits?
Challenges of polygenic traits?
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Pleiotropy
Pleiotropy
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Species comparisons
Species comparisons
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Frameshift Mutation
Frameshift Mutation
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Associations: Genes and Behavior
Associations: Genes and Behavior
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What are ethical issues in editing genes?
What are ethical issues in editing genes?
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Bioinformatics tools
Bioinformatics tools
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Study: Behavioral Traits
Study: Behavioral Traits
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Genetic complexity of behavior
Genetic complexity of behavior
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Animal communication definition?
Animal communication definition?
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Signal Definition
Signal Definition
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Cue information
Cue information
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What is Sensory receptors?
What is Sensory receptors?
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What are chemoreceptors?
What are chemoreceptors?
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Volatile chemical signals?
Volatile chemical signals?
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Insect Pheromones
Insect Pheromones
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What is Pheromone disruption?
What is Pheromone disruption?
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Electroreceptors
Electroreceptors
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Signal honest
Signal honest
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Flashcards
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Study Notes
Study Notes
Behavioral Genetics
- Behavioral genetics studies how genes and environment interact to shape behavior
- This differs from general genetics by including the environment as a factor in gene inheritance
Heritability
- Highly heritable behavior is likely passed from parent to offspring
- Highly heritable traits can still be influenced by environment due to environmental changes
- Genotype is the genetic blueprint (DNA, alleles)
- Phenotype is an individual's observed behavior
- Genotype, environment, and gene-environment interactions contribute to behavior production
Gene-Environment Interaction (GEI)
- GEI shapes behavioral outcomes by how genes respond to the environment
Fixed Action Pattern (FAP)
- FAPs are characterized by stereotyped behaviors that run to completion once triggered
- FAPs have little variation across individuals
- Reflexes are involuntary responses to stimuli, differing from FAPs
Graylag Goose Egg-Retrieval
- Illustrates genetic control over behavior
- The goose retrieves an egg that rolls out of the nest with its beak, continuing even if the egg is removed
PCR & qPCR
- PCR amplifies DNA sections to detect genes of interest
- qPCR measures amount of DNA in a sample in real time
- qPCR quantifies actively transcribing genes
Gel Electrophoresis
- DNA fragments are pushed through a gel using an electric field
- Smaller fragments move faster and further
- This helps identify specific genetic markers by allowing scientists see size of DNA fragments
Microsatellites
- Repetitive DNA sequences that frequently mutate
- Useful for studying genetic diversity due to variation in alleles in a population
Parthenogenesis in California Condors
- Genetic analysis revealed occasional parthenogenesis in birds without mate access
- Condors reproduced sexually both before and after parthenogenesis
GWAS vs. QTL Mapping
- GWAS analyzes large, genetically diverse, unrelated populations, scanning the genome to find genetic variants associated with traits
- QTL mapping requires related individuals with known genetic markers distinguishing parental lines
- GWAS scans entire genome to identify genetic variants associated with traits
- QTL mapping is used when individuals are related with known genetic markers
- Controlled genetic background of related individuals helps reduce complexity, making it easier to link phenotypic traits to specific genetic regions
Knockout Techniques & CRISPR-Cas9
- Help understand function of specific genes in behavior
- Knockout methods disable a gene to study effects
- CRISPR-Cas9 is more precise for specific changes to study gene function by deleting, adding, or altering sequences
Domesticated Silver Foxes
- Observed traits in domesticated silver foxes include floppy ears, curly tails, mottled fur, tameness, and reduced stress response
Ethogram
- Formal description of an animal's behavior
- List or catalog defined, discrete behaviors that a particular species exhibits
HPG Axis
- Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Gonadal axis is a crucial endocrine system regulating reproductive functions
- Involved the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, and gonads (ovaries or testes)
- Coordinates hormone production to control fertility and sexual development
- Stress affects it
GnIH
- Gonadotropin releasing hormone released from the hypothalamus to the pituitary, then to the gonads
- Stress can increase GnIH levels
Transcriptomic analysis (RNAseq)
- Helps researchers understand behavioral changes at the genetic level
- mRNA molecules carry genetic information, proteins mechanistically coordinate behaviors
MA Plots
- Depict differentially expressed genes
Calisi Lab Research
- Constructed an annotated transcriptome assembly
- Transcriptome assembly is a comprehensive catalog of all RNA transcripts (gene activity) present in a cell/tissue/organism at a specific time
Studying Pigeon Parents
- Removing or replacing eggs/chicks helped test hypotheses about gene expression changes
- Helped researchers understand if genes were controlled by an internal clock or egg/chick removal
Genomics & Bioinformatics in Animal Behavior
- Genomic and bioinformatic tools uncover genetic foundations of animal traits/behaviors
- Behavioral traits are influenced by many genes (polygenic) and environmental conditions
Non-Coding DNA
- Only ~2.5% of genome codes for proteins
- Most of the genome has no clearly defined function
Comparative Genomics
- Comparative genomics helps identify genes associated with behavior, by comparing individuals or species with and without the behavior of interest
Phylogenetic Trees
- Phylogenetic trees help trace the evolutionary origins of behaviors and their genetic bases
GWAS & Manhattan Plots
- GWAS and Manhattan plots identify statistical associations between specific genetic variants and observed traits, including potential behavioral phenotypes
Recombination & Inheritance
- Recombination affects how traits and behaviors are inherited across generations
Correlation vs. Causation
- Correlation is not causation, just because a variant is associated with a behavior doesn't mean it causes it
Pleiotropy
- Complicates behavioral studies
- A single gene may influence multiple behavioral and physical traits
Polygenic traits
- Behavioral traits are often polygenic, meaning they arise from the interaction of many genes
Frameshift Mutations & DVL2
- Frameshift mutations, like the one in DVL2 associated with screw tail, can influence neurological development and behavior if they affect genes expressed in the brain
Ethical Implications
- Ethical concerns arise when editing genes that affect animal welfare or behavior, should we breed away from certain traits?
De-Extinction
- De-extinction efforts raise behavioral questions, will edited animals act like their ancient counterparts?
Bioinformatics Tools
- Modern bioinformatics tools allow researchers to sift through millions of variants to find those potentially influencing behavior
Non-Coding DNA & Behavior
- Mutations/variations in non-coding regions affect how genes are turned on/off, impacting development/function related to behavior
Linkages between Genes & Traits
- Behaviors are more difficult to link to genes than physical traits
- Phenotypes are almost never caused by a single genetic locus
- Single genetic loci almost always contribute to multiple phenotypes (pleiotropy)
GWAS Studies
- Genome-Wide Association Studies (GWAS) is good for analyzing a large and genetically diverse population of unrelated individuals
- Scans the entire genome to identify genetic variants associated with traits
Polygenic Traits (Challenges)
- Polygenic behavoral traits are complex because of genetic and environmental factors so you need large and diverse datasets
Pleiotropy (Role of)
- Pleiotropy, where a single gene affects multiple traits, is a crucial concept in behavioral genetics research
- Understanding pleiotropy is vital for interpreting genetic findings, as it explains why traits may be linked even if they appear unrelated
Comparative Genomics
- Comparative genomics allows researchers to compare the genetic differences and similarities between species, revealing how these differences might relate to behavioral variations
Screw Tail in Morphology
- The screw tail phenotype teaches about the relationship between morphology and behavior
- A region of genome closely associated with the screwtail phenotype was discovered
- Multiple correlated phenotypes all have similar gene truncation
- Experimental evidence suggests that the truncated gene has altered response to signaling
Frameshift Mutation (Impact)
- A frameshift mutation can cause the genetic code to change, therefore changing the codon sequences which changes which proteins are made
Associations Between Genes & Behavior
- Researchers must be cautious when interpreting associations between genes and behavior
- Because correlation doesn't imply causation. A genetic variant might be statistically linked to a behavior without being the cause
- Confounding variables and linkage disequilibrium can mislead interpretation
Ethical Issues
- Ethical concerns arise when editing genes that influence animal behavior
- Ethical concerns include animal welfare, unintended consequences of gene edits, and whether we should manipulate behavioral traits at all, especially for aesthetics or convenience
De-Extinction (Failure of)
- De-extinction efforts can fail to recreate the behavioral traits of extinct animals
- Even if the genome is recreated accurately, behavior also depends on the developmental environment, social context, and learned experiences
- Cloned or edited animals may not act like their extinct ancestors due to different upbringing or epigenetic factors
Bioinformatics Tools (Role of)
- Bioinformatics tools help researchers find behaviorally relevant mutations
- These tools analyze massive genomic datasets to identify variants correlated with traits and enable filtering millions of SNPs, scanning for signals of selection, and integrating data from GWAS, gene expression, and comparative genomics
Experimental Designs
- Experimental designs that strengthen conclusions about gene-behavior links
Environment is important
- It is important to consider the environment when studying behavioral traits, behavior is shaped by both genes and environment
- Ignoring environmental factors can lead to incorrect conclusions about genetic influences or miss key gene-environment interactions
Complexity of behavor
- It highlights that behavior evolves not through single mutations but through many small changes across genes and regulatory networks
- This complexity makes behavioral evolution slower and more nuanced than simple trait evolution
Animal Communication
- Communication is a specialized signal produced by one individual that influences the behavior of another -A signal is an evolved trait meant to actively send information and affect receivers. -A Cue is passive information not evolved for communication but still useful to others.
Sensory Receptors
- Sensory receptors are nerve endings that respond to an internal or external environmental stimulus
- Play a role in detecting communication signals by converting stimuli into electrical signals that the nervous system can interpret
- There is variation across species
Chemoreception
- Chemoreceptors detect chemical stimuli (substances secreted into environment and detected by odor-binding proteins in sensory structures)
- Volatile chemical signals are signals transmitted readily through water or air
- Pheromones are volatile (gaseous) compounds that are species-specific and affect the behavior of another individual of the same species
- Pheremones are used in human cologe and in pest control
How Pheromones in Pest Control Works
- Insects use volatile sex pheromones to find potential mates, pheromones are released to disrupt mating, resulting in reduce crop demage
Why is pheremone disruption a good type of pest control
- Pheromone disruption is a more targeted and eco-friendly pest control method than pesticides because it specifically targets the pest species, minimizes harm to non-target organisms, and reduces the need for broad-spectrum chemical applications
Visual Communication
- Photoreceptors are specialized neurons that are sensitive to light, a visual receptor
- There are differences in color detection between humans and other species
Electroreception & Communication (2 types)
- Electroreceptors are specialized sensory cells that detect electrical currents
- There are species with and without them
- With- detect electric fields of prey (insects) with sensors on their snouts, Bees use sensory hairs to detect the electric fields of flowers
- Electric discharge is how animals use it for hunting comunicating and signaling
Amazonian Knifefish
- Knifefish use EOD frequency to assess Resource Holding Potential (RHP)
- Bigger fish/Winners → higher EOD frequencies
- Fish used EOD frequency cues (not just body size) to assess opponents
Auditory (Alarms)
- Vervet monkey alarm calls for different predators, they have predator-specific vs. general alarm calls
- Is this symbolic communication (language) or just learned behavior?
Environmental Influence
- the environment changes how animals communicate
- Urban noise reshaping bird song
Animal Behavior and communication
- Communication is not just about the signaler—it depends critically on the receiver
- Sensory systems and environmental pressures shape both the form and evolution of signals
- Animals live in vastly different sensory worlds
- Human alterations of the environment directly affect animal communication systems
Costly Signaling
- A signal is considered "costly" since it requires investment of resources, effort, or time to produce
- Costly signals are more likely to be honest because they require a significant investment of resources or effort, making them too expensive or difficult to fake
- Signals most likely to be accurate when: -The signaler and receiver share fitness interests -The signal can't be faked
- The signal is expensive to produce or maintain
Aposematic Coloration & Honest Warnings
- Bright colors act as a signal of toxicity/unpalatability
- In 2007 a frog coloring experiment was conducted
- Bright frog coloration is an aposematic signal to predators that prey are unpalatable
- Predators are less likely to attack brightly colored frogs because these vibrant colors often signal that the frogs are toxic or unpalatable
Learning
- Predators avoided the brightly colored ones, demonstrating their ability to associate warning colors with harmful traits through learned behavior
Evolution of Warning Signals
- Challenges of evolving bright coloration (e.g. increased visibility) exist
- 3 of these hypotheses : Pre-adaptation, Gradual evolution, Group advantage
Courtship Signaling & Receiver Responses
- Courtship signaling which consists of the use of visual, chemical, acoustic, or behavioral cues to communicate information to a potential mate.
Deception in Signaling
- Signals are faked (dishonest signaling), it can occur when fitness interests of signaler and receiver differ
Red Queen Hypothesis
- The Red Queen hypothesis explains how signalers and receivers are locked in a coevolutionary arms race, where signalers evolve to manipulate receiver behavior, and receivers evolve better ways to detect deception
Mimicry
- Mimicry: Adaptive resemblance of one species (the mimic) to another (the model)
- This is when animals may deceive others of their own species to gain a mating advantage or avoid conflict
Batesian Mimicry
- is when A harmless or palatable species fools predators by resembling a harmful or unpalatable one
Müllerian Mimicry
- is when Two different species that share common predator have come to mimic each other's warning signals which is beneficial because both share a similar warning signal that indicates they are toxic or dangerous
Agriessive mimicry
- when predators mimic something harmless to lure prey
Signal Interception (Eavesdropping)
- when Signals intended for one receiver are picked up by others, for example like Predators, competitors, or rivals eavesdropping
Extended Phenotype Signals
- are Signals expressed beyond the body- often involve environmental modification, the are costly and considered reliable indicators of the quality/condition of the signaler
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