PSYC 100A Chapter Notes - Chapter 4: Twin, Heritability, Prenatal Nutrition
5 May 2016
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Behavior genetics: the study of the relative power and limits of genetic and environmental influences on behavior. Environment: every nongenetic influence, from prenatal nutrition to the people and things around us. 46 chromosomes in all; 23 in mother"s egg and 23 in father"s sperm. Chromosome: threadlike structures made of dna molecules that contain the genes. Each chromosome is composed of a coiled chain of dna. Dna (deoxyribonucleic acid): a complex molecule containing the genetic information that makes up the chromosomes. Genes: the biochemical units of hereditary that makes up the chromosomes; segments of. We have 20,000 to 25,000 genes, which are either active (expressed) or inactive. When turned on, genes provide the code for creating protein molecules (our body"s building blocks). Genome: the complete instructions for making an organism, consisting of all genetic material in that organism"s chromosomes. At functionally important dna sites, that number is 99. 4%
