PSYC 228 Lecture Notes - Lecture 5: Epigenetics
Document Summary
Myelination: lipid/protein substance, speeds conduction velocity, begins prenatally & continues. Different experiences in terms of food availability, pollution, noise level, etc. Explains why infants are used to different things. Different experiences in levels of stress, drugs/alcohol taken in by the mother, etc. Genetic activity, neural activity, behaviour, and environment all play a part in individual development. These are various levels we can look at that all interact with each other. This all works through a process called epigenetics. You inherit a genetic code from your parents, this code is fixed & is what you will pass on. Epigenetics are in addition to the genes, and refers to gene expression. What the environment/early experience can do is turn genes off and on. Dna is fixed, gene activity is not fixed. Example: skink lizard: eaten by snakes. Most likely to be prey if small with short tail & less reactive.
