Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is the primary function of segmentation genes in body development?
What is the primary function of segmentation genes in body development?
- They are responsible for color variation in phenotypes.
- They determine the genetic makeup of an organism.
- They determine how the body is divided into segments. (correct)
- They regulate the expression of organ-specific genes.
How do Hox genes influence the body plan of an organism?
How do Hox genes influence the body plan of an organism?
- They control the overall shape of the body.
- They influence external features like skin color and fur texture.
- They determine the development of organs and tissues within each segment. (correct)
- They regulate the growth of appendages.
Which concept explains the shared genetic features across various animal species?
Which concept explains the shared genetic features across various animal species?
- Phenotypic variation
- Modularity
- Diversity
- Unity (correct)
What is the role of modularity in genetic functions?
What is the role of modularity in genetic functions?
Which of the following statements best describes the concept of diversity in genetics?
Which of the following statements best describes the concept of diversity in genetics?
What is the primary reason the eye color in certain populations is prevalent according to genetic drift?
What is the primary reason the eye color in certain populations is prevalent according to genetic drift?
What aspect does the rebranding of Sociobiology to Evolutionary Psychology emphasize?
What aspect does the rebranding of Sociobiology to Evolutionary Psychology emphasize?
Which of the following is an example of an evolutionary spandrel?
Which of the following is an example of an evolutionary spandrel?
What does the Orchid and the Dandelion Hypothesis suggest about human environments?
What does the Orchid and the Dandelion Hypothesis suggest about human environments?
Which statement is true according to the research on stress reactivity in adults who faced childhood stress?
Which statement is true according to the research on stress reactivity in adults who faced childhood stress?
How do developmental systems respond to stressful environments according to the hypothesis discussed?
How do developmental systems respond to stressful environments according to the hypothesis discussed?
What can be inferred about individuals raised in supportive environments?
What can be inferred about individuals raised in supportive environments?
Which of the following correctly describes the nature of eye color variations in migrated populations?
Which of the following correctly describes the nature of eye color variations in migrated populations?
What is the primary focus of developmental adaptations in humans?
What is the primary focus of developmental adaptations in humans?
Which statement most accurately describes the relationship between evolutionary fitness and health?
Which statement most accurately describes the relationship between evolutionary fitness and health?
What is one characteristic of the developmental contract model?
What is one characteristic of the developmental contract model?
Which of the following best exemplifies an immediate adaptive response?
Which of the following best exemplifies an immediate adaptive response?
What do offspring exposed to famine risk developing, according to the findings?
What do offspring exposed to famine risk developing, according to the findings?
Why is it challenging to classify traits as adaptations in humans?
Why is it challenging to classify traits as adaptations in humans?
Which of these factors is not used to define evolutionary fitness?
Which of these factors is not used to define evolutionary fitness?
What is a potential long-term consequence of making immediate adaptive responses during development?
What is a potential long-term consequence of making immediate adaptive responses during development?
What is described by the Predictive Adaptive Response Hypothesis?
What is described by the Predictive Adaptive Response Hypothesis?
Which factor is significant in the development of an offspring's phenotype according to predictive models?
Which factor is significant in the development of an offspring's phenotype according to predictive models?
How does homeostasis differ from allostasis?
How does homeostasis differ from allostasis?
What do the terms 'anticipatory responses' and 'predictive adaptive responses' refer to?
What do the terms 'anticipatory responses' and 'predictive adaptive responses' refer to?
What is one limitation of the homeostasis model?
What is one limitation of the homeostasis model?
What influences the adaptive response of an organism according to predictive models?
What influences the adaptive response of an organism according to predictive models?
What role do maternal nutrients and hormones play in the development of offspring?
What role do maternal nutrients and hormones play in the development of offspring?
What is a characteristic of homeostatic mechanisms?
What is a characteristic of homeostatic mechanisms?
What is the primary role of pluripotent cells?
What is the primary role of pluripotent cells?
What regulates cellular differentiation in cells?
What regulates cellular differentiation in cells?
During mitosis, what happens to epigenetic patterns?
During mitosis, what happens to epigenetic patterns?
Which statement about genomic imprinting is correct?
Which statement about genomic imprinting is correct?
What syndrome is associated with abnormal expression of both alleles of the IGF2 gene?
What syndrome is associated with abnormal expression of both alleles of the IGF2 gene?
In differentiating cells that share the same genome, what differentiates their epigenomes?
In differentiating cells that share the same genome, what differentiates their epigenomes?
What is the focus of the evodevo field of study?
What is the focus of the evodevo field of study?
Which of the following is NOT a symptom of Beckwith-Wiedemann Syndrome?
Which of the following is NOT a symptom of Beckwith-Wiedemann Syndrome?
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Study Notes
Epigenetics and Developmental Plasticity
- Offspring of women who experienced famine show increased risk of type 2 diabetes and slower metabolism due to epigenetic changes.
- Developmental plasticity refers to changes occurring during development that enhance survival and reproduction, often influenced by environmental factors.
Adaptation Concepts
- Adaptation enhances evolutionary fitness over time, but distinguishing between health and evolutionary fitness is complex due to factors like human reproductive control.
- Developmental adaptations can be characterized into two models:
- Developmental contract model focuses on short-term survival at the expense of long-term health (e.g., wider hips for balance).
- Predictive models suggest developmental cues help individuals prepare for future adult environments.
Maternal Influence on Offspring
- Maternal biology provides environmental cues (nutrients and hormones) to developing offspring, influencing their adaptation and preparedness for future challenges.
Homeostasis vs Allostasis
- Homeostasis maintains physiological set points (like temperature), while allostasis recognizes the need for physiological adjustments to changing environments.
- In embryonic development, pluripotent cells can specialize into various cell types through regulated epigenetic marks.
Epigenetics and Cellular Differentiation
- Cellular differentiation is driven by lineage-specific epigenetic marks, influencing the type of cells developed.
- Epigenetic patterns are preserved during mitosis and can be inherited, except in sex cells.
Genomic Imprinting
- Genomic imprinting regulates gene expression based on parental origin, critical for balanced allelic expression.
- Example: Beckwith-Wiedemann Syndrome results from abnormal expression of IGF2, leading to symptoms like hypoglycemia and hyperinsulinemia.
The Field of Evodevo
- Evodevo studies evolution through the lens of development, highlighting three principles:
- Unity: Core developmental genes shared across species.
- Diversity: Variations in physical traits arise from different gene arrangements.
- Modularity: Groups of genes work together for specific morphological outcomes.
Gene Types in Body Development
- Segmentation genes dictate body structure divisions, while Hox genes regulate organ and tissue development within segments.
Genetic Drift and Trait Expression
- Eye color variation can result from genetic drift, rather than being adaptive or attractive in new environments.
Evolutionary Psychology and Development
- Evolutionary psychology integrates developmental influences into traditional adaptive explanations.
Evolutionary Spandrels
- Spandrels are traits that arise as byproducts of other adaptations, e.g., bellybuttons or the hump of an Irish deer.
The Orchid and Dandelion Hypothesis
- Stressful and supportive environments both shape human development, with responses varying based on childhood experiences.
- Extreme psychosocial stress correlates with heightened sensitivity in adulthood, increasing risks of anxiety and depression, while supportive environments lead to more resilient stress responses.
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