Psychology 1000 Chapter Notes - Chapter 4: Twin, Dyslexia, Genetic Counseling

• School: Western University
• Department: Psychology
• Course: Psychology 1000
• Professor: Shelley Cross- Mellor

Document Summary

A chromosome is a tightly coiled molecule of deoxyribonucleic acid (dna) that is partly covered by protein. The dna portion of the chromosome carries the hereditary blueprint in units called genes: every cell in the body except one type has 46 chromosomes. The exception is the sex cell which has only 23. The genes within each chromosome also occur in pairs, so that the offspring receives one of each gene pair from each parent. Every cell nucleus in your body contains the genetic code for your entire body: alternative forms of a gene that produce different characteristics are called alleles, genes code for the production of proteins. In response to different metabolic demands, or in response to different environmental factors, a gene may be activated and a protein produced or an already active gene may be. Turned off, and the levels of a speci c protein will then decrease.