Genetic Variation and Evolutionary Psychology Quiz

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Questions and Answers

What type of twins are formed when two eggs (ova) are fertilized by two sperm and produce two genetically unique children?

Quadruplets
Fraternal or dizygotic twins (correct)
Identical or monozygotic twins
Triplets

What type of twins are formed when one fertilized egg (ovum) splits and develops into two babies with exactly the same genetic information?

Fraternal or dizygotic twins
Quadruplets
Triplets
Identical or monozygotic twins (correct)

Which of the following is an example of an environmental influence on development?

A person with poor diet and poor medical care during pregnancy may affect a fetus' brain development. (correct)
A child inherits a genetic mutation that leads to a rare disorder.
A child has weak muscles as a result of muscular dystrophy and one of his parents has the same problem.
A species develops a new behavior that provides a survival advantage through natural selection.

Which of the following is an example of hereditary influence on development?

A child has weak muscles as a result of muscular dystrophy and one of his parents has the same problem. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which field of study focuses on functional explanations of how behaviors evolved?

Evolutionary psychology (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the process by which organisms with desired traits are chosen to be parents of the next generation?

Artificial selection (D) Signup and view all the answers

Why is experimentation with animals considered critical in medical research?

To progress towards treating or preventing serious conditions like AIDS and Alzheimer's disease. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What ethical issue arises when considering animal experimentation in comparison to human research?

The question of whether animal research is acceptable under any circumstances. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect makes animal research easier for understanding mechanisms of behavior?

Observing animal behavior in natural settings. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is a key reason why some procedures that are unethical with humans are conducted on animals?

To gain important knowledge that might be illegal or unethical to obtain with humans. (B) Signup and view all the answers

How does animal research contribute to progress in medicine and biological psychology?

By allowing research that would be slow or impossible without animals. (D) Signup and view all the answers

In what way has animal research impacted the development of medical treatments?

By providing methods for preventing or treating conditions like polio and AIDS. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes a functional explanation in evolutionary biology?

It explains why a particular trait was advantageous and favored by natural selection. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between homozygous and heterozygous conditions for a gene?

Homozygous means having an identical pair of genes, while heterozygous means having a different pair of genes. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary difference between dominant and recessive genes?

Dominant genes show a strong effect in both homozygous and heterozygous conditions, while recessive genes show their effect only in the homozygous condition. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about Gregor Mendel's contributions to genetics is correct?

He demonstrated that inheritance occurs through genes, units of heredity that maintain their structural identity from one generation to another. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes autosomal genes?

They are genes responsible for inherited traits that are not linked to sex. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary difference between the X and Y chromosomes in terms of their gene content?

The X chromosome contains genes for approximately 1500 proteins, while the Y chromosome contains genes for only 27 proteins. (B) Signup and view all the answers

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Study Notes

Types of Twins

Identical twins, or monozygotic twins, form when one fertilized egg splits into two, creating genetically identical offspring.
Fraternal twins, or dizygotic twins, arise from the fertilization of two different eggs by two sperm, resulting in genetically unique children.

Influences on Development

Environmental influences on development can include factors such as socio-economic status, nutrition, and cultural practices.
Hereditary influences on development encompass genetic factors inherited from parents, determining traits like eye color and susceptibility to certain diseases.

Fields of Study

Behavioral evolutionary psychology focuses on functional explanations of how behaviors have evolved throughout time.

Selective Breeding

Selective breeding is the process in which organisms with desired traits are chosen to produce the next generation, influencing genetic outcomes.

Animal Experimentation

Animal experimentation is crucial in medical research for testing the effects of drugs and treatments before human trials, bridging the gap in understanding complex biological systems.
Ethical issues surrounding animal experimentation often compare the moral considerations of animal welfare with potential human benefits from research findings.

Advantages of Animal Research

Animals generally have shorter lifespans and faster reproduction rates, making it easier to study behavior mechanisms and genetic changes over generations.
Certain research procedures deemed unethical for human subjects may be permissible in animal studies, facilitating scientific exploration in areas that require invasive techniques.

Contributions to Medicine

Animal research has significantly advanced medical knowledge, enabling breakthroughs in treatments for various conditions and informing the development of surgical techniques.
The progress in medicine attributed to animal studies includes the creation of vaccines, cancer treatments, and therapies for chronic conditions.

Evolutionary Biology Concepts

A functional explanation in evolutionary biology describes how a trait or behavior contributes to survival and reproductive success within a species.

Genetic Conditions

Homozygous conditions involve having two identical alleles for a particular gene, while heterozygous conditions consist of two different alleles.
Dominant genes express their traits even if only one copy is present, whereas recessive genes require two copies to express their traits.

Gregor Mendel's Contributions

Gregor Mendel is recognized as the father of genetics for his foundational work in understanding inheritance patterns through pea plant experiments.

Genetic Characteristics

Autosomal genes are located on non-sex chromosomes and typically affect traits not related to sex determination.
The X chromosome carries a significantly larger number of genes compared to the Y chromosome, which contains fewer genes primarily related to male sex determination.

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