Deck 4: Genes, Evolution, and Behaviour

Question 1

Unlike the blueprints for a house, a person's genetic blueprint is not observable. Identical twins may have the same genotype but given different environmental influences, their ________ may be quite unique.

A) heritability
B) characteristics
C) phenotype
D) DNA

Answer 1

phenotype

Question 2

Two people both have the dominant genes for brown hair but one has light brown hair and the other has dark brown hair. This difference reflects differences in _ _.

A) phenotype
B) genotype
C) heritability coefficient
D) concordance

Answer 2

phenotype

Question 3

When multiple gene pairs combine to influence the expression of a single phenotypic trait, it is called:

A) dominant transmission.
B) genotypic transmission.
C) phenotypic transmission.
D) polygenic transmission.

Answer 3

polygenic transmission.

Question 4

The specific genetic makeup of an individual is referred to as the:

A) polygenetic transmission.
B) genotype.
C) recombinant DNA.
D) phenotype.

Question 5

When sperm fertilizes an egg, the new cell has:

A) 46 chromosomes.
B) 46 genes.
C) 23 genes.
D) 23 chromosomes.

Question 6

Sex cells are different from all other cells in the human body because they:

A) have twice the number of chromosomes as regular cells.
B) are involved in polygenetic transmission.
C) have no alleles.
D) have half the number of chromosomes as regular cells.

Question 7

The portion of the chromosome that carries the specific hereditary units of information are called:

A) phenotypes.
B) polygenic transmissions.
C) genes.
D) heritability coefficients.

Question 8

Kelsey knows she has many athletic abilities she has not developed partly because she lacks the motivation to do so. One might say these abilities are part of her .

A) genotype
B) phylotype
C) chromosomes
D) phenotype

Question 9

Carol has average size hands for a woman. Her mother has rather large hands and her father relatively small hands for a man. Carol's sister says Carol has a combination of the large and small hands resulting in Carol's medium hand size. Carol has studied genetics
In school and knows this is not true because specific traits are passed on, not ________
Ones.

A) blended
B) adaptive
C) mutated
D) physical

Question 10

All cells in the human body have the same number of chromosomes except for ________.

A) brain cells
B) nerve cells
C) sex cells
D) glial cells

Question 11

A dominant gene is one that:

A) directly determines the expression of the trait it controls.
B) determines the expression of the trait it controls when its gene partner is also dominant.
C) interacts with multiple gene pairs to determine the expression of a single phenotypic characteristic.
D) determines the expression of the trait it controls only if its gene partner is recessive.

Question 12

A chromosome is:

A) the portion of the gene that carries the hereditary blueprint.
B) a coiled molecule of DNA that is covered by protein.
C) recombinant DNA.
D) synonymous with the term "gene."

Question 13

The observable characteristics produced by a particular genetic endowment are called ________.

A) genotype
B) phenotype
C) concordance
D) heritability coefficient

Question 14

Recombinant DNA procedures refer to the process in which:

A) a specific gene is altered is such a way that it prevents it from carrying out its normal function.
B) the dominant or recessive qualities of a particular gene are changed.
C) chromosomes are transplanted within a single organism.
D) pieces of DNA from several organisms are put together and allowed to divide and copy in a new organism.

Question 15

Every cell in the human body except one type has:

A) 23 chromosomes.
B) 23 genes.
C) 46 chromosomes.
D) 46 genes.

Question 16

Even though a female may have the gene for blue eyes in her chromosomes, it is possible that she may actually have brown eyes because this particular characteristic is recessive. Instances like these most clearly demonstrate the distinction between:

A) chromosomes and genes.
B) phenotype and chromosomes.
C) chromosomes and genotype.
D) phenotype and genotype.

Question 17

Both of Bob's parents have blue eyes. Bob carries the dominant gene for blue eyes, yet his eyes are brown. This means that the gene for blue eyes would be considered:

A) phenotypic.
B) dominant.
C) recessive.
D) polygenic.

Question 18

Which of the following statements about genetic transmission from parents to offspring is true?

A) 46 chromosomes from the egg combine with 46 chromosomes from the sperm.
B) 23 chromosomes from the egg combine with 23 chromosomes from the sperm.
C) The dominant genes tend to come from the sperm.
D) The dominant genes tend to come from the egg.

Question 19

Polygenic transmission occurs when:

A) a gene directly determines the expression of the trait it controls.
B) a single phenotypic characteristic is determined by the interaction between several gene pairs.
C) a gene determines the expression of the trait it controls when its gene partner is dominant.
D) a gene determines the expression of the trait it controls when its gene partner is recessive.

Question 20

Brad has blue eyes and his wife has brown eyes. Both of their children have brown eyes. Their eldest son, Mike, marries a woman with blue eyes, and they are now expecting their first baby. Is it possible for the child to be born with blue eyes?

A) No, as long as one parent has brown eyes the child will have brown eyes
B) No, Brad would not be carrying the recessive blue eye gene
C) Yes, Mike may carry the recessive gene for blue eyes
D) Yes, as with any child, there is a possibility for either eye colour occurring

Question 21

Recombinant DNA procedures have been used to produce human growth hormone that has been used to treat children who are abnormally short. The results of the research examining the impact for these children is that:

A) they achieved slightly above average height at adolescence.
B) they achieved slightly below average height at adolescence.
C) they did not achieve sufficient increases in height by adolescence.
D) they achieved average height at adolescence.

Question 22

Adoption studies have found that people with schizophrenia are:

A) more similar to their adoptive parents than to their biological parents.
B) more similar to their biological parents than to their adoptive parents.
C) not similar to either their biological parents or their adoptive parents.
D) equally similar to their biological and adoptive parents.

Question 23

Studies comparing the similarity of identical and fraternal twins who are raised together and apart are especially informative because:

A) they tell us only about the importance of the environment.
B) they tell us about the relative importance of the environment and genetic factors.
C) they tell us what genes may be responsible for the occurrence of twins.
D) they tell us only about the importance of genetic factors.

Question 24

Of the list below, genetically speaking, which pair of individuals is most alike?

A) A brother and sister who are fraternal twins
B) Two sisters who are fraternal twins
C) Two brothers who are fraternal twins
D) Two brothers who are identical twins

Question 25

The heritability coefficient is highest for which of the following human characteristics?

A) conscientiousness
B) intelligence
C) height
D) impulsivity

Question 26

The procedure in which an individual gene is altered to prevent it from carrying out its normal function is called the:

A) elimination procedure.
B) gene knockout procedure.
C) recombinant procedure.
D) polygenic procedure.

Question 27

Which of the following procedures have been used to produce human growth hormone?

A) polygenic transmission
B) gene knockout
C) inheritance transmission
D) recombinant DNA

Question 28

While the gene knockout procedure has been shown to result in changes in behaviour, interpretation of the findings of this procedure must be made carefully since:

A) this research has elicited a host of ethical and moral issues
B) very little behaviour is controlled by only one gene
C) there is little application of this research on animals with respect to humans
D) the behaviour change is typically not permanent

Question 29

The gene knockout procedure refers to the process of:

A) altering an individual gene such that its normal function is prevented.
B) preventing neurons from firing by inhibiting reuptake.
C) artificially suppressing the function of the immune system.
D) flooding the body with stress hormones so that a gene goes into temporary shock.

Question 30

While genetic engineering gives humans potential control over heredity and evolutionary processes, there is a key question with respect to the use of genetic engineering?

A) Is this research of significant value to test these techniques on animals?
B) Is it moral/ethical to manipulate genetic makeup?
C) Does the research show that these techniques actually produce any lasting changes?
D) Can these findings on animals be meaningfully applied to humans?

Question 31

Siblings have a certain percentage of chance of sharing the same gene with one another. This percentage of chance is _.

A) 25 percent
B) 100 percent
C) 50 percent
D) 5 percent

Question 32

Dizygotic twins share a certain percentage of their genetic endowment with their parents. This percentage of genetic endowment is _.

A) 50 percent
B) 25 percent
C) 100 percent
D) 75 percent

Question 33

A grandchild has a certain percentage of chance of sharing any single gene with his or her grandparents. This percentage of chance is _.

A) 10 percent
B) 50 percent
C) 100 percent
D) 25 percent

Question 34

The heritability coefficient for intelligence is .50. This means that:

A) 50 percent of the variation of intelligence between groups of people is related to genetic factors.
B) 50 percent of the variation of intelligence in a group of people is related to environmental factors.
C) 50 percent of the variation of intelligence within a group of people is related to genetic factors.
D) 50 percent of the variation in the intelligence of an individual is related to genetic factors.

Question 35

The probability of a child sharing any particular gene with his or her parents is:

A) 0.25
B) 1.0
C) 0.05
D) 0.50

Question 36

The extent to which variation among a group of people can be attributed to genetic factors is estimated by the:

A) genetic coefficient.
B) heritability coefficient.
C) polygenic coefficient.
D) correlation coefficient.

Question 37

The heritability coefficient is used to estimate:

A) the extent to which variation in a group of people can be accounted for by genetic factors.
B) the probability that a person will share a given gene with his or her parents.
C) the extent to which variation in a group of people can be accounted for by environmental factors.
D) the probability that a person will share a given gene with a sibling.

Question 38

Techniques in which pieces of DNA from an organism are combined with DNA from other organisms and then allowed to proliferate in a new host organism are called:

A) polygenic transmission.
B) genotypic DNA transmission.
C) heritability procedures.
D) recombinant DNA procedures.

Question 39

An animal researcher inserts into the body of a mouse a genetic substance that is designed to prevent neurons from responding to dopamine. The researcher then observes the mouse to determine the impact of the absence of dopamine on the mouse's behaviour. This researcher has just utilized what is called the:

A) recombinant procedure.
B) polygenic procedure.
C) knockout procedure.
D) elimination procedure.

Question 40

Which of the following is one of the methods used in recombinant DNA research?

A) Weak electrical currents are used to regrow damaged neurons.
B) Cells with nerve growth factor are implanted to repair severed spinal cord neurons.
C) Enzymes are used to cut the long threadlike molecules of genetic DNA into pieces.
D) Antigens are artificially added to the body to stimulate the immune system.

Question 41

What do we currently know about the specific sizes of reaction ranges for individuals?

A) We know that, generally, women have larger reaction ranges than men
B) We do know that the size differs from one person to the next
C) We do not know if the size differs from one person to the next
D) We know that, generally, men have larger reaction ranges than women

Question 42

One problem with studying identical and fraternal twins raised together or apart is that:

A) Identical twins that are raised together may be treated more similarly than fraternal twins, which could account for their greater behavioural similarity.
B) Often twins raised apart have very similar environments.
C) There is no control over the environments of twins who are raised apart.
D) Fraternal twins may be male and female whereas identical twins are always either both male or female.

Question 43

If intelligence was completely determined by genetics, then which set of correlations would be the same?

A) Between a parent and a child vs. between identical twins
B) Between identical twins vs. between any two siblings
C) Between identical twins vs. between fraternal twins
D) Between fraternal twins vs. between any siblings

Question 44

Twin studies have found that some psychological traits, such as intelligence, have a notable genetic contribution. This can be concluded from what evidence?

A) the similarity of identical twins raised apart is greater than the similarity of fraternal twins raised apart.
B) the similarity of identical twins is essentially equal to that of fraternal twins.
C) the similarity of fraternal twins raised together is greater than the similarity of identical twins raised apart.
D) the similarity of identical twins is greater when they are reared apart than when they are reared together.

Question 45

Keith and Kirk are identical twins who were separated at birth and raised in different parts of the country in different environments. When as adults they were reunited, researchers compared them on several psychological characteristics. Compared to identical twins that have been raised together, Keith and Kirk probably have:

A) as much in common on their psychological characteristics had they been fraternal twins
B) the same level of similarity from those raised together
C) even more characteristics in common than if they were raised together
D) fewer characteristics in common because of different environmental influences

Question 46

Researchers who believe in the concept of a reaction range are most likely to argue that intelligence is:

A) the product of many separate but correlated individual mental abilities.
B) the product of the interaction between genetics and the environment.
C) most strongly shaped by environmental factors.
D) most strongly determined by genetic factors.

Question 47

Though presently there is no quantifiable way to determine the reaction ranges of various intelligence-related traits, research on environmental enrichment programs and adoption studies suggest that the ranges could be:

A) 7 to 10 IQ points
B) 4 to 6 IQ points.
C) 20 to 30 IQ points.
D) 15 to 20 IQ points.

Question 48

An adoption study examining the heritability of criminal behaviour found that people who had biological parents and adoptive parents who both had criminal records were the most likely to be criminals themselves. This example was presented to demonstrate:

A) the influence of genetic factors on criminal behaviour.
B) how genotype and phenotype can interact to produce behaviour.
C) the influence of environmental factors on criminal behaviour.
D) how the environment and genetic factors can interact to produce behaviour.

Question 49

Scott and Shawn are identical twins raised together, whereas Tammy and Tracey are identical twins raised apart. Scott and Shawn are more similar on IQ than are Tammy and Tracey. This finding:

A) rules out a purely environmental explanation for IQ
B) suggests that environment is not important for determining IQ
C) suggests that genetics are not important for determining IQ
D) rules out a purely genetic explanation for IQ

Question 50

Based on Hans Eysenck's work on genetic components of personality, research has shown that the personality trait neuroticism is related to increased action of the neurotransmitter _.

A) serotonin
B) acetylcholine
C) norepinephrine
D) dopamine

Question 51

Barbara and Brenda are identical twins who were adopted at birth and raised by two different families. Andy and Andrew are identical twins raised together by their biological parents. When the four children entered high school they took an IQ test. Barbara and Andy each had scores of 110, while Brenda's IQ was measured at 120 and Andrew scored 108. These results support which of the following conclusions?

A) intelligence is almost entirely shaped by the environment except when rare genetic disorders are involved
B) intelligence is shaped by genetics as well as environmental influences
C) intelligence is entirely determined by genetics
D) intelligence is influenced by the environment only in extreme conditions

Question 52

The reaction range principle suggests that genetics sets the upper and lower limits for a trait and indicates where in that range a particular trait will fall.

A) genotype
B) environment
C) phenotype
D) concordance

Question 53

Although genetic factors are considerably important, they appear to account for about a certain percentage of the IQ variation within a group. This percentage ranges from ________.

A) 30 to 50
B) 20 to 30
C) 80 to 90
D) 50 to 70

Question 54

An adoption study examined the heritability of criminal behaviour in boys adopted at a young age. The level of boys' criminality was greatest when _.

A) neither biological nor adoptive fathers had criminal records
B) only biological fathers had criminal records
C) both biological and adoptive fathers had criminal records
D) only adoptive fathers had criminal records

Question 55

In general, which statement below best summarizes the outcome of the role of heredity and environment as they affect intelligence:

A) Heredity, not environment, is most important in determining intelligence
B) Heredity and environment are equally important in determining intelligence
C) Heredity and environment interact in determining intelligence
D) Environment, not heredity, is most important in determining intelligence

Question 56

Twin studies have consistently revealed that the factor that accounts for the least amount of variation in personality trait attributes is:

A) social interactions.
B) genetics.
C) school experiences.
D) family environment.

Question 57

Which of the following statements regarding the similarity of IQ between twins is FALSE?

A) The correlation for identical twins raised together is higher than identical twins raised apart.
B) The correlation for fraternal twins raised together is higher than identical twins raised apart.
C) The correlation for fraternal twins raised together is higher than siblings raised together.
D) The correlation for identical twins raised apart is higher than fraternal twins raised together.

Question 58

Which of the following was NOT mentioned as a factor contributing to the differences in personality traits in identical twins?

A) genetics
B) social interactions
C) school experiences
D) family environment

Question 59

A genetically determined trait may have an upper and lower limit, and the environment may determine the exact level of the trait that ultimately gets expressed. This is referred to as the concept of _.

A) reaction range
B) genetic potential
C) concordance
D) gene knockout

Question 60

According to the notion of a reaction range for intelligence, if Dean has a reaction range that is equivalent to Shannon's and Shannon has experienced a considerably more enriched environment compared to Dean, who would have a higher intelligence score?

A) They would have the same intelligence score since an enriched environment only influences intelligence outside of the reaction range.
B) Dean would have a higher intelligence score.
C) Shannon would have a higher intelligence score.
D) They would have the same intelligence score since the reaction range is the same.

Question 61

Evolutionary personality theorists speculate the personality traits of conscientiousness and agreeableness may have played an important role in:

A) mate selection.
B) maintaining relationships.
C) group survival.
D) problem solving.

Question 62

From an evolutionary perspective, attaining positions of dominance and selecting mates may be attributed to the personality traits of helpful in.

A) conscientiousness and agreeableness
B) extraversion and emotional stability
C) openness and conscientiousness
D) agreeableness and openness

Question 63

Domain-specific adaptations refer to adaptations related to:

A) The growth of particular parts of the brain over time.
B) Achieving skills in a particular domain like language learning.
C) Solving particular problems like learning what is safe to eat.
D) Using logical reasoning to real life problems.

Question 64

Which of the following was NOT mentioned as a human behaviour related to innate evolved mechanisms?

A) the ability to acquire any spoken language
B) the responsiveness to pictures of human faces
C) basic emotions that are universally recognized
D) all children eventually learn to read

Question 65

The genes that are associated with dyslexia have likely caused:

A) subtle changes in brain development.
B) sex-linked behaviours.
C) intellectual impairment.
D) changes in visual processing.

Question 66

All EXCEPT which one of the following is involved in reading aloud:

A) cognition
B) auditory processing
C) visual processing
D) motor ability

Question 67

Natural selection refers to

A) the in-born tendencies that enable us to adapt to our environment
B) characteristics that are likely to increase our chances of survival which are more likely to be preserved in a species
C) the change over time in the frequency with which particular genes occur within a species
D) several genes combining their influence to create a single phenotypic trait

Question 68

If our ancestors' mental abilities increased in parallel with an increase in brain size, why has the size of our brain not continued increasing?

A) this evolutionary mechanism is still at work; it just evolves more slowly than previously thought
B) the human skull is currently as large as the exoskeleton will support
C) factors other than the brain also determine human capabilities
D) although humans continue to evolve, language, memory, and attention are fully developed

Question 69

Genetic variation enables natural selection to work because:

A) individuals who have a variation that enables them to adapt to the environment are more likely to survive
B) individuals who inherit a dominant trait are more likely to survive
C) individuals who are not able to adapt to their environment are more likely to pass on some form of genetic variation to their offspring
D) individuals who have a neutral variation are more likely to survive

Question 70

Though the research by Vernon at the University of Western Ontario and Jang at the University of British Columbia showed that attitudes toward things like reading books and participating in organized sports showed the greatest heritability rates, the researchers cautioned that:

A) the study has yet to be replicated with other sets of twins in other parts of the world.
B) their sample was small and unique in that the participants were raised in a community that had a significant number of opportunities for participation in a wide array of activities.
C) it's not likely the case that specific genes cause these attitudes but that certain characteristics make individuals more likely to prefer these activities.
D) not all behaviours are directly affected by genes as was the case for the behaviours studied in this study were.

Question 71

Certain basic personality traits that are found across all cultures may have evolved to help us achieve which two overriding goals?

A) establishing cooperative relationships and mate selection
B) physical survival and social contacts
C) reproduction of the species and physical survival
D) establishing positions of dominance and reproduction of the species

Question 72

Evidence for heritable components in dyslexia have been found in studies.

A) molecular genetics
B) behaviour genetics
C) fMRI studies
D) PET studies

Question 73

The global appearance of the five basic personality traits is due to the fact that these traits increased our chances for survival and reproduction. This belief is postulated by the ________.

A) cognitive-affective personality theory
B) evolutionary personality theory
C) social cognitive theory
D) social learning theory

Question 74

According to the Minnesota Twin Study, which of the following factors was least important in determining personality?

A) genetics
B) experiences at school
C) emotional climate in the home
D) unique individual experiences

Question 75

The change over time in the frequency with which particular genes occur within an interbreeding population is referred to as:

A) evolution
B) polygenic transmission
C) dominant transmission
D) natural selection

Question 76

Support for innate evolved mechanisms is illustrated by the finding that:

A) infants develop a preference for certain human faces over time.
B) smiling is recognized as an expression of happiness only in some cultures.
C) the specific language children learn depends on the language to which they are exposed.
D) infants are born with the ability to learn any language.

Question 77

Research conducted with twins indicates that genetic factors appear to account for approximately 39 to 58 percent of the variation in personality traits, while unique or individual environments account for about _.

A) 51 to 61 percent
B) 12 to 21 percent
C) 36 to 56 percent
D) 26 to 36 percent

Question 78

Genetic factors are especially important in the development of dyslexia in:

A) individuals with a low IQ.
B) males.
C) females.
D) individuals with a high IQ.

Question 79

In the Minnesota Twin Study, genetics accounted for a percentage of the variation among people in personality trait scores. This percentage range was .

A) 22-31
B) 39-58
C) 74-95
D) 15-20

Question 80

One innate, evolved trait of humans is the preference that newborns have for:

A) Pictures of human faces as compared to animal faces
B) Pictures of faces as compared to a random pattern of facial features
C) Pictures of animals as compared to a random pattern of animals body parts
D) Pictures of animals as compared to pictures of human faces