PSY 101 Chapter Notes - Chapter 4: Molecular Genetics, Heritability, Epigenetics
Document Summary
Chapter 4 nature, nurture and human diversity (pages 130-139) 4. 1 behavior genetics: predicting individual differences. Behavior geneticists the study of the relative power and limits of genetic and environmental influences on behavior. Environment every nongenetic influence, from prenatal nutrition to the people and things around us. 4. 1. 1 genes: our codes for life. Chromosome threadlike structures made of dna molecules that contain the genes. Dna a complex molecule containing the genetic information that makes up the chromosomes. Genes the biochemical units of heredity that make up the chromosomes; a segment of dna capable of synthesizing a protein. Genome the complete instructions for making an organism, consisting of all the genetic material in that organism"s chromosomes. Most of our traits are influenced by many genes. Complex traits such as intelligence, happiness, and aggressiveness are similarly influenced by groups of genes. Our genetic predispositions our genetically influenced traits help explain both our shared human nature and our human diversity.
