PSYC*1130 Lecture Notes - Lecture 2: Prenatal Diagnosis, Neurogenesis, Doula
Document Summary
Natural selection: evolutionary process where the best adapted individuals in a species survive and reproduce. Natural selection and adaptive behavior: darwin: on the origin of species (1859, all organisms must adapt in life. Evolutionary psychology: emphasizes adaptation, reproduction, and survival of the fittest in shaping behavior, evolution explains human physical features and behaviors. Evolutionary developmental psychology: explaining humans and their behavior. Takes longest of all mammals to mature. Some evolved mechanisms of adaptation not compatible with modern society. As adults weaken biologically, culture-based needs increase. Human genome project: nucleus of a human cell: Genes: units of hereditary information: 20,500 genes in humans, genetic expression and inherited traits. Genes and chromosomes: mitosis: cell nucleus duplicates, meiosis: cell division forms gametes, fertilization: egg and sperm form zygote, genetic variability in the population, x and y chromosomes determine sex, sources of variability. Phenotype: observable characteristics: dominant and recessive genes. Many genes interact to influence a trait.
