PSYC 2500 Lecture Notes - Lecture 3: Allosome, Y Chromosome, Behavioural Genetics

• School: Carleton University
• Department: Psychology
• Course: PSYC 2500
• Professor: Kim O' Neil

Document Summary

First investigations of contributions of heredity and environment asked an either orquestion (galton) Recent efforts to map the human genome established that individuals differ only slightly from one another. Phenotype: observable expression of the genotype, including body characteristics and behaviour. Environment: every aspect of the individual, and his or her surroundings, other than genes. Females have two x chromosomes in the 23rd pair, whereas m ales have x and y chromosomes. Gene on the y chromosome encodes the protein that triggers the formation of testes. If father gi(cid:448)es y it"s a girl, if x its (cid:271)oy. Mutations: changes in sections of dna caused by random or environmental factors. Random assortment; shuffling of all chromosomes and dna. Regulator genes largely control the continuous switching on and off of genes underlying development across the lifespan. A given gene influences development and behaviour when its turned on. External factors can affect on and off of genes.