Question 1

Linkage analysis is a method in molecular genetics used to:
A)study rare disorders
B)identify the specific genes that cause mental illness
C)identify genetic markers related to psychopathology
D)study the gene-environment interactions

Accepted Answer

Linkage analysis is used to identify genetic markers that are co-inherited with a trait or disorder, helping to locate genes associated with that trait.

Question 2

The neurotransmitter that has been the focus of gene-environment interaction research is
A)norepinephrine.
B)serotonin.
C)GABA.
D)dopamine.

Accepted Answer

Serotonin has been found to be implicated in many mental health conditions and behaviors including depression, anxiety, aggression, and impulsivity. Research has shown that genetic variations in serotonin transporters can moderate the impact of environmental stressors, such as traumatic experiences or maltreatment, on mental health outcomes.

Question 3

) A nerve impulse is:
A)The gap between sending and receiving brain cells
B)A change in electric potential within the cell
C)The genotypic features of the cell
D)A group of chemical substances called neurotransmitters

Accepted Answer

A nerve impulse is a change in electric potential within the cell, specifically the rapid depolarization and repolarization of the cell membrane. This electrical signal allows for communication between neurons and leads to the release of neurotransmitters. The other choices may be involved in neural function, but do not specifically relate to a nerve impulse.

Question 4

Neurotransmitters
A)deliver nerve impulse information across the synapse.
B)allow for the detection of brain activity, through measures such as EEG.
C)transmit genetic information from parents to offspring.
D)block the flow of information and contribute to behavioural problems.

Accepted Answer

Neurotransmitters are chemicals that are released from the terminal buttons of one neuron into the synaptic gap between two neurons. They are responsible for transmitting information across the synapse, allowing for communication between neurons and the transmission of nerve impulses.

B, C, and D are incorrect because neurotransmitters do not allow for the detection of brain activity through EEG (B), do not transmit genetic information (C), and do not block the flow of information (D) - in fact, they facilitate the flow of information.

Question 5

Mental disorders can be the result of
A)an abundance of receptors on the postsynaptic neuron.
B)excesses of different neurotransmitters, such as dopamine.
C)deficiencies in different neurotransmitters, such as serotonin.
D)any of the above.

Accepted Answer

Mental disorders can be caused by an abundance or deficiency of neurotransmitters, such as dopamine and serotonin, as well as an abundance of receptors on the postsynaptic neuron. Therefore, any of the above choices can be the result of mental disorders.

Question 6

Determining the influence of being raised by disordered parents, and eliminating that influence in behaviour genetics research is accomplished by the ___________ method.
A)twin
B)adoptee
C)family
D)spouse

Accepted Answer

The adoptee method involves comparing the behaviour of adopted children with their biological and adoptive parents. This helps in determining whether a behaviour trait is influenced more by genetic or environmental factors. By using adoptees, researchers can avoid the potential influence of being raised by disordered parents. The twin method is useful for determining the heritability of a trait, but does not specifically address the influence of the environment. The family method examines the behaviour of biological relatives, but still incorporates the environment of being raised by these relatives. The spouse method looks at the influence of a person's partner on their behaviour, which is not relevant for studying the influence of being raised by disordered parents.

Question 7

The behaviour genetic view suggests which of the following relations between genes and abnormal behaviour?
A)Genetic predispositions increase the likelihood of abnormal behaviour.
B)It is possible and reasonable to manipulate an individual's genes.
C)Twins, mono or dizygotic, are more likely to exhibit abnormal behaviour.
D)Abnormal behaviour is solely the result of environmental influences on genetics

Accepted Answer

The behaviour genetic view suggests that genetic predispositions increase the likelihood of abnormal behaviour. This means that certain genes may make it more likely for an individual to display abnormal behaviours, although environmental factors may also play a role in the expression of these genes.

Question 8

Research has demonstrated the use of linkage analysis. Zai and colleagues (2005)in Toronto found an association between obsessive-compulsive disorder and a _______ gene.
A)dopamine
B)serotonin
C)norepinephrine
D)GABA

Accepted Answer

The answer of Research has demonstrated the use of linkage...

Question 9

The family method refers to
A)identifying the gene(s)believed to cause inherited disorders.
B)comparing the incidence of disorders in other members of a family.
C)examining twins raised apart.
D)examining phenotypes of nuclear families.

Accepted Answer

The family method in the context of studying inherited disorders involves comparing the incidence of disorders in other members of a family to understand how genetics might influence the presence of certain conditions. This method helps in identifying patterns of inheritance and the potential genetic basis of diseases.

Question 10

Despite growing up in poverty and having a parent with a mental illness, Tyrone does really well in school, has lots of friends, and is a successful athlete. His type of temperament can best be described as
A)overcontrolled.
B)undercontrolled.
C)hard-to-warm-up.
D)resilient.

Accepted Answer

Tyrone's ability to overcome adversity and succeed despite difficult circumstances is indicative of resilience. Resilience is not a specific temperament, but rather a trait or characteristic that individuals exhibit in response to stress and adversity. Therefore, answers A, B, and C are incorrect as they refer to specific temperaments, whereas Tyrone's situation highlights his resilience.

Question 11

Which of the following is another term for an index case?
A)Genotype
B)Phenotype
C)Proband
D)Zygote

Accepted Answer

A proband is another term for an index case, which is a person who is the first in a family or population to be diagnosed with a particular illness or condition. A genotype refers to an individual's genetic makeup, a phenotype refers to an individual's observable characteristics resulting from their genotype, and a zygote is a fertilized egg.

Question 12

) Molecular genetics is an approach that:
A)Compares the level of genetic overlap between individuals with the same disorder.
B)Studies the differences in behaviour that are attributable to genetic makeup.
C)Allows for the identification of the level of similarity of genes between relatives.
D)Identifies a particular gene or genes involved in the development of disorders.

Accepted Answer

Molecular genetics is a field of genetics that studies the structure and function of genes at the molecular level. It involves identifying specific genes involved in the development of a disorder, and understanding how variations in these genes can contribute to the disorder. Therefore, option D is the best choice as it correctly describes the approach of molecular genetics.

Question 13

The small gap between brain cells that is involved in message transmission is called the:
A)Neurotransmitter
B)Axon
C)Ganglion
D)Synapse

Accepted Answer

The synapse is the small gap between two neurons or between a neuron and a muscle or glandular cell, where chemical communication occurs in the transmission of nerve impulses. The neurotransmitter is the chemical substance released by the presynaptic neuron that is involved in transmitting the message across the synapse. The axon is the long, thin process of a neuron that conducts nerve impulses away from the cell body. The ganglion is a cluster of nerve cell bodies located outside the central nervous system.

Question 14

An investigator finds that the concordance rate for bipolar disorder is higher among monozygotic twins than for dizygotic twins. Which would be an incorrect conclusion on the basis of this finding?
A)Bipolar disorder is partially inherited.
B)Bipolar disorder is learned through interactions and observations of family members.
C)Genetics play no role in bipolar disorder.
D)Identical twins may not be treated in the same way as nonidentical twins.

Accepted Answer

The finding that concordance rates are higher for monozygotic twins compared to dizygotic twins suggests a genetic component to bipolar disorder, so it would be incorrect to conclude that genetics play no role in bipolar disorder. Option A is supported by the finding, and Option B and D are unrelated to the given information.

Question 15

The authors of your textbook conclude that the results of a Canadian survey on the causes of illness, both physical and mental:
A)Are encouraging as they show that 3 out of 5 Canadians believe that genetic factors are a significant factor in the development of health and mental health problems.
B)Are discouraging as they show that 3 out of 5 Canadians believe that genetic factors are a significant factor in the development of health and mental health problems.
C)Were inconclusive as they show that 3 out of 5 Canadians believe that genetic factors are a significant factor in the development of health and mental health problems.
D)Were inconclusive as they show that 2 out of 5 Canadians believe that genetic factors are a significant factor in the development of health and mental health problems.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The authors of your textbook conclude that...

Question 16

Sam is generally described as easy going, whereas his brother is more difficult. Describing them in this way is making reference to their
A)personalities.
B)friendliness.
C)temperaments.
D)adaptability.

Accepted Answer

The terms "easy going" and "difficult" are often used to describe a person's temperament, which refers to their natural tendencies and dispositions in how they react to different situations. These descriptions are not necessarily related to personality traits or levels of friendliness, which are more subjective and can vary depending on the observer's perspective. Therefore, choice C) temperaments is the best answer for this question.

Question 17

A study of genetic linkage in adolescents and young adults found that a locus on chromosome 9 is associated with enhanced risk for
A)depression.
B)attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
C)internalizing disorders.
D)externalizing disorders.

Accepted Answer

The answer of A study of genetic linkage in adolescents...

Question 18

Concordance for disorders should be greater for ______________ than ______________ if there is a genetic predisposition for the condition.
A)monozygotic; dizygotic pairs
B)genotypic; phenotypic pairs
C)dizygotic; monozygotic pairs
D)phenotypic; genotypic pairs

Accepted Answer

Monozygotic twins share 100% of their genes, while dizygotic twins share about 50%, similar to regular siblings. Therefore, if a disorder has a genetic basis, concordance rates (the likelihood that both twins have the condition) should be higher in monozygotic twins than in dizygotic twins.

Question 19

Research on genetic linkage typically assumes
A)genetic contributions only.
B)environmental contributions only.
C)gene-environment interaction.
D)research is unclear about the contributions to genetic linkage.

Accepted Answer

Research on genetic linkage often considers gene-environment interactions, acknowledging that both genetic factors and environmental factors can influence the expression of genes and their linkage.

Question 20

A genetic explanation of schizophrenia would be supported by which of the following choices?
A)Higher concordance between MZ than DZ twins.
B)Similar concordance rate between MZ and DZ twins
C)Relatives of someone with schizophrenia are no more likely to have schizophrenia than anyone else.
D)MZ twins reared together are likely to share the disorder.

Accepted Answer

A higher concordance rate between MZ twins than DZ twins suggests a genetic factor in the development of schizophrenia. This is because MZ twins share 100% of their genes, while DZ twins share only 50% of their genes. If genes play a role in the development of schizophrenia, we would expect to see a higher concordance rate in MZ twins.

Quiz 2: Current Paradigms and Integrative Approaches

Linkage analysis is a method in molecular genetics used to:

The neurotransmitter that has been the focus of gene-environment interaction research is

) A nerve impulse is:

Neurotransmitters

Mental disorders can be the result of

Determining the influence of being raised by disordered parents, and eliminating that influence in behaviour genetics research is accomplished by the ___________ method.

The behaviour genetic view suggests which of the following relations between genes and abnormal behaviour?

Research has demonstrated the use of linkage analysis. Zai and colleagues (2005) in Toronto found an association between obsessive-compulsive disorder and a _______ gene.

The family method refers to

Despite growing up in poverty and having a parent with a mental illness, Tyrone does really well in school, has lots of friends, and is a successful athlete. His type of temperament can best be described as

Which of the following is another term for an index case?

) Molecular genetics is an approach that:

The small gap between brain cells that is involved in message transmission is called the:

An investigator finds that the concordance rate for bipolar disorder is higher among monozygotic twins than for dizygotic twins. Which would be an incorrect conclusion on the basis of this finding?

The authors of your textbook conclude that the results of a Canadian survey on the causes of illness, both physical and mental:

Sam is generally described as easy going, whereas his brother is more difficult. Describing them in this way is making reference to their

A study of genetic linkage in adolescents and young adults found that a locus on chromosome 9 is associated with enhanced risk for

Concordance for disorders should be greater for than if there is a genetic predisposition for the condition.

Research on genetic linkage typically assumes

A genetic explanation of schizophrenia would be supported by which of the following choices?