Child Development Chapter 4

Front 1

Behavioral genetics

Back 1

Research to determine the degree of genetic basis for a behavior, a trait, or an ability

Front 2

Molecular genetics

Back 2

Research focused on the identification of particular genes to identify how these genes work within the cell

Front 3

Chromosomes

Back 3

The strands of genes that constitute the human genetic endowment

Front 4

Fertilization

Back 4

The union of a father's sperm and the mother's egg to produce a zygote

Front 5

Zygote

Back 5

A fertilized egg

Front 6

Genome

Back 6

The complete sequence of bases that make up the genetic instructions of an organism

Front 7

Mutations

Back 7

Change in the formation of genes that occur as cells divide

Front 8

Nucleotide

Back 8

An organic molecule that contains one of the four bases with a phosphate group and a sugar molecule

Front 9

Dominant genes

Back 9

Genes that are usually expressed in the phenotype

Front 10

Recessive genes

Back 10

Genes that are generally not expressed in the phenotype unless paired with another

Front 11

Genotype

Back 11

The genes that are present at a particular location on the chromosome

Front 12

Phenotype

Back 12

The genetically based characteristics that are actually shown in one's body

Front 13

Polygenic inheritance

Back 13

Numerous genes that may interact together to promote any particular trait or behavior

Front 14

Pleiotropic effects

Back 14

The many different influences any single Gene may have

Front 15

Generalist genes

Back 15

Genes that affect many, apparently distinct cognitive abilities

Front 16

Single Gene disorders

Back 16

Genetic disorders caused by a single recessive gene or mutation

Front 17

Chromosome disorders

Back 17

Disorders that result when too many or too few chromosomes are formed or when there is a change in the structure of the chromosome caused by breakage

Front 18

Multifactorial inheritance disorders

Back 18

Disorders that result from many genes in interaction with environmental influences

Front 19

Amniocentesis

Back 19

A testable for genetic abnormalities prenatally, in which a physician uses a long, thin needle to extract amniotic fluid, which is then tested

Front 20

Chorionic villus sampling (CVS)

Back 20

A test to look for genetic abnormalities prenatally, in which a small tube is inserted either through the vagina and cervix or through a needle inserted in the abdomen, and the sample of cells is retrieved from the chorion for testing

Front 21

Chorion

Back 21

The outer fetal membrane that surrounds the fetus and gives rise to the placenta

Front 22

Gene therapy

Back 22

Treatment of genetic disorders through implanting or disabling specific genes

Front 23

Heritability

Back 23

A measure of the extent to which genes determine a particular Behavior or characteristic

Front 24

Concordance rate

Back 24

The degree to which a trait or an ability of one individual is similar to that of another:

Used to examine similarities between twins and among adopted children and their biological and adoptive parents

Front 25

Dizygotic (DZ) twins

Back 25

Twins formed when a woman produces two ova or eggs, which are fertilized by two sperm genetically.

Are as similar as any siblings

Front 26

Monozygotic (MZ) twins

Back 26

Formed when a woman produces one egg that is fertilized by one sperm and the resulting ball of cells then splits to form two individuals with the same genes

Front 27

Canalization

Back 27

The degree to which the expression of a gene is influenced by the environment

How the same phenotypes are produced by a genotype even though the environment may differ

Front 28

Epigenetics

Back 28

A system by which genes are activated or silenced in response events or circumstances in the individuals environment

Front 29

Passive gene-environment

Back 29

A situation in which a child's family shares his own genetically determined abilities and interests

Front 30

Active gene-environment interaction

Back 30

When one's genetic endowment becomes a driving force for children to seek out experiences that fit their genetic endowment

Front 31

Evocative gene-environment

Back 31

When children's genetic endowment cause them to act in a way that draws out or "evokes" certain responses from those around them

Front 32

Down syndrome

Back 32

One extra 21st chromosome

Symptoms include intellectual disability, typical facial features, poor muscle tone, possible problems with heart, digestion, and hearing

Physical, occupational, speech, and educational therapy. Medical intervention as needed

Front 33

Trisomy

Back 33

A genetic disorder in which a person has three copies of a chromosome instead of two.