PSYCH101 Chapter Notes - Chapter 3.1: Behavioural Genetics, Twin, Egg Cell

• School: University of Waterloo
• Department: Psychology
• Course: PSYCH101
• Professor: Richard Ennis

Document Summary

Genes - the basic units of heredity; responsible for guiding the process of creating the proteins that make up our physical structures and regulate development and physiological processes through the lifespan. Dna (deoxyribonucleic acid) - a molecule formed in a double-helix shape that contains four nucleotides: adenine, cytosine, guanine, and thymine. Genotype - the genetic makeup of an organism -- the unique set of genes that comprise that individual"s genetic code. Phenotype - the physical traits/behavioural characteristics that show genetic variation, such as eye colour, the shape and size of facial features, and even personality. Chromosomes - structures in the cellular nucleus that are lined with all of the genes an individual inherits. Behaviour genomics - the study of dna and the ways in which specific genes are related to behaviour. Behavioural genetics - the study of how genes and the environment influence behaviour. Monozygotic twins - come from a single ovum (egg), which makes them genetically identical.