PSYC 1000 Chapter Notes - Chapter 11: Molecular Genetics, Prenatal Nutrition, Twin

• School: University of Guelph
• Department: Psychology
• Course: PSYC 1000
• Professor: Dan Meegan

Document Summary

Behaviour genetics: the study of relative power and limits of genetic and environmental influences on behaviour. Environment: every non-genetic influence, from prenatal nutrition to the people and things around us. Chromosome: threadlike structures made of dna molecules that contain genes. Dna (deoxyribonucleic acid): a complex molecule containing genetic information that makes up the chromosome. Genes: the biological units of heredity that make uo the chromosomes; segments of. Genome: the complete instruction for making an organism, consisting of all the genetic material in the organism"s chromosomes. Identical twins: twins who develop from a single (monozygotic) fertilized egg that splits two, creating two genetically identical organisms. Fraternal twins: twins who develop from separate (dizygotic) fertilized eggs. They are genetically no closer than brothers and sisters, but they share a fetal environment. Twins separated still share similarities in personality, abilities, attitudes, interests and even fears. Adoptees more similar to biological parents then caregiving adoptive parents.