Developmental Psychology Terms From Chapter 3 Of Child Development

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genotype

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total genetic endowment inherited by an individual

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phenotype

Back 2

observable and measurable characteristics and traits of an individual; a product of the interaction of the genotype with the environment

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gene

Back 3

large segment of nucleotides within a chromosome that codes for the production of proteins and enzymes. These proteins and enzymes underlie traits and characteristics inherited from one generation to the next.

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allele

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alternate form of a specific gene; provides a genetic basis for many individual differences

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gametes

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sperm cells in males, egg cells in females, normally containing only twenty-three chromosomes

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chromosomes

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thredlike structures of DNA, located in the nucleus of cells, that form a collection of genes. A human body cell normally contains forty-six chromosomes.

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human genome

Back 7

entire inventory of nucleotide base pairs that compose the genes and chromosomes of humans

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nucleotide

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repeating basic building block of DNA consisting of nitrogen-based molecules of adenine, thymine, cytosine, and guanine

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deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)

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long, spiral staircaselike sequence of molecules created by nucleotides identified with the blueprint for genetic inheritance

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karyotype

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pictorial representation of an individual's chromosomes

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autosomes

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twenty-two pairs of homologous chromosomes. The two members of each pair are similar in size, shape, and genetic function. the two sex chromosomes are excluded from this class.

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X chromosome

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larger fo the two sex chromosomes associated with genetic determination of sex. Normally females have two X chromosomes and males only have one.

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Y chromosome

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Smaller off the two sex chromosomes associated with genetic determination of sex. Normally males have one Y chromosome and females none.

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zygote

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fertilized egg cell

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mitosis

Back 15

process of cell division that takes place in most cells of the human body and results in a full complement of identical material in the forty-six chromosomes in each cell

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genotype

Back 16

total genetic endowment inherited by an individual

Front 17

phenotype

Back 17

observable and measurable characteristics and traits of an individual; a product of the interaction of the genotype with the environment

Front 18

gene

Back 18

large segment of nucleotides within a chromosome that codes for the production of proteins and enzymes. These proteins and enzymes underlie traits and characteristics inherited from one generation to the next.

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allele

Back 19

alternate form of a specific gene; provides a genetic basis for many individual differences

Front 20

gametes

Back 20

sperm cells in males, egg cells in females, normally containing only twenty-three chromosomes

Front 21

chromosomes

Back 21

thredlike structures of DNA, located in the nucleus of cells, that form a collection of genes. A human body cell normally contains forty-six chromosomes.

Front 22

human genome

Back 22

entire inventory of nucleotide base pairs that compose the genes and chromosomes of humans

Front 23

nucleotide

Back 23

repeating basic building block of DNA consisting of nitrogen-based molecules of adenine, thymine, cytosine, and guanine

Front 24

deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)

Back 24

long, spiral staircaselike sequence of molecules created by nucleotides identified with the blueprint for genetic inheritance

Front 25

karyotype

Back 25

pictorial representation of an individual's chromosomes

Front 26

autosomes

Back 26

twenty-two pairs of homologous chromosomes. The two members of each pair are similar in size, shape, and genetic function. the two sex chromosomes are excluded from this class.

Front 27

X chromosome

Back 27

larger fo the two sex chromosomes associated with genetic determination of sex. Normally females have two X chromosomes and males only have one.

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Y chromosome

Back 28

Smaller off the two sex chromosomes associated with genetic determination of sex. Normally males have one Y chromosome and females none.

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zygote

Back 29

fertilized egg cell

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mitosis

Back 30

process of cell division that takes place in most cells of the human body and results in a full complement of identical material in the forty-six chromosomes in each cell

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meiosis

Back 31

Process of cell division that forms the gametes; normally results in twenty-three chromosomes in each human egg and sperm cell rather than the full complement of forty-six chromosomes.

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crossing over

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Process during the first stage of meiosis when genetic material is exchanged between autosomes.

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homozygous

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genotype in which two alleles of a gene are identical, thus having the same effects on a trait.

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heterozygous

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genotype in which two alleles of a gene are different. The effects on a trait will depend on how the two alleles interact.

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dominant allele

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Allele whose characteristics are reflected in the phenotype even when part of a heterozygous genotype. Its genetic characteristics tend to mask the characteristics of other alleles.

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recessive allele

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Allele whose characteristics do not tend to be expressed when part of a heterozygous genotype. Its genetic characteristics tend to be masked by other alleles.

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codominance

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Condition in which individual, unblended characteristics of two alleles are refllected in the phenotype.

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polygenic

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Phenotypic characteristic influenced by two or more genes.

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phenylketonuria (PKU)

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Recessive genetic disorder in which phenylalanine, an amino acid, fails to be metabolized. Unless dietary changes are made to reduce intake of phenylalanine, severe mental retardation occurs.

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genomic imprinting

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Instances of genetic transmission in which the expression of a gene is determined by whether the particular allelic form has been inherited from the mother or the father.

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mutation

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Sudden change in molecular structure of a gene; may occur spontaneously or be caused by an environmental even such as radiation.

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Williams syndrome

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Dominant genetic disorder involving the deletion of a set of genes that results in affected individuals typically having a strong social orientation, good musical ability, and some unusual linguistic capabilities; accompanied by mental retardation and severe deficits in numerical and spatial ability.

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sickle cell disease

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Genetic blood disorder common in regions of Africa and other areas where malaria is found and among descendents of the people of these regions. Abnormal blood cells carry insufficient oxygen.

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sickle cell trait

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Symptoms shown by those possessing a heterozygous genotype for sickle cell anemia.

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fragile X syndrome

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Disorder associated with a pinched region of the X chromosome; a leading genetic cause of mental retardation in males.

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trisomy

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Condition in which an extra chromosome is present.

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genetic counseling

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Medical and counseling specialty concerned with determining and communication the likelihood that prospective parents with give birth to a baby with a genetic disorder.

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genetic screening

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Systematic search using a variety of tests to detect deelopmental risk due to genetic anomalies.

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amniocentesis

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Method of sampling the fluid surrounding the developing fetus by insertion of a needle. Used to diagnose fetal genetic and developmental disorders.

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chorionic villus sampling

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Method of sampling fetal chorionic cells. Used to diagnose embryonic genetic and developmental disorders.

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fetal blood sampling

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Method of withdrawing blood from the umbilical cord of the fetus. Used to diagnose genetic disorders, especially those that affect the blood.

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maternal blood screening

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Tests performed on a woman's blood to determine if the fetus she is carrying has an increased risk for some types of chromosomal and metabolic disorders.

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ultrasonography

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Method of using sound wave reflections to obtain a representation of the developing fetus. Used to estimate gestational age and detect fetal physical abnormalities.

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behavior genetics

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Study of hwo characteristics and behaviors of individuals, such as intelligence and personality, are influenced by the interaction between genotype and experience.

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identical twins

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Two individuals who originate from a single zygote (one egg fertilized by one sperm) which early in cell division separated to form two separate cell masses. Also called <i>monozygotic twins</i>.

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fraternal twins

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Siblings who share the same womb at the same time but originate from two different eggs fertilized by two different sperm cells. Also called <i>dizygotic twins</i>.

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concordance rate

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Percentage of pairs of identical twins in which both members have a specific trait identified in one twin.

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heritability

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Proportion of variability in the phenotype that is estimated to be accounted for by genetic influences within a known environmental range.

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range of reaction

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Range of phenotypic differences possible as a result of different environments interacting with a specific genotype.

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canalization

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Concept that the development of some attributes is governed primarily by the genotype and only extreme environmental conditions will alter the phenotypic pattern for these attributes.

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niche picking

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Tendency to actively select an environment compatible with a genotype.

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temperament

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Stable, early-appearing constellation of individual personality attributes believed to have a hereditary basis; includes sociability, emotionality, and activity level.