Psychology 1000 Chapter 4: Chapter 4.docx

• School: Western University
• Department: Psychology
• Course: Psychology 1000
• Professor: Laura Fazakas- De Hoog

Document Summary

Chapter 4- genes, evolution and behaviour: physical development and development of nervous system based on blueprint of genes passed down from parents. Passing of specific factors rather than blending of parents characteristics which may produce visible characteristics in the organisms: genotype: the specific genetic makeup of an individual. Some are used, some are not, some are contradicted -> prevented from being expressed: phenotype: observable characteristic produced by genes from mother and father. Can be affected by other genes and the environment: chromosome: tightly packed dna tightly coiled partly covered in protein, hereditary dna within chromosomes are carried in units called genes. Like giant computer files of information about characteristics, potentials and limitations. About half of the genes target brain structure and function. This magnifies the possible variations- 70 trillion different combinations: human genome. 1990-2001 the human genome project was underway and it published the genetic map of each and every one of the 23 chromosomes.