Question 1

If a genetically based attraction to beautiful people contributes to survival,that trait will likely be passed on to subsequent generations.This best illustrates

Accepted Answer

The scenario described is an example of natural selection, where a genetic trait that aids in survival (in this case, attraction to beautiful people) is passed on to future generations.

Question 2

Evolutionary psychology is most likely to emphasize that human adaptiveness to a variety of different environments has contributed to human

Accepted Answer

Evolutionary psychology suggests that human behavior evolved over time to enhance reproductive success. This means that traits and behaviors that increased the likelihood of successful reproduction and passing on of genes became more prevalent in the population.

Question 3

An African butterfly that is green in the summer turns brown in the fall thanks to a temperature-controlled genetic switch.This best illustrates that genes are

Accepted Answer

The fact that the African butterfly's genetic switch controls its color change in response to temperature demonstrates that genes can regulate themselves based on external factors.

Question 4

Inherited trait variations contributing to reproduction and survival are highly likely to be passed on to succeeding generations.This best illustrates

Accepted Answer

The concept of inherited trait variations contributing to reproduction and survival being passed on to succeeding generations is a key tenet of natural selection.

Question 5

Infant rats deprived of their mothers' normal licking had more ________ that block access to the "on" switch for developing the brain's stress hormone receptors.

Accepted Answer

The statement is describing the impact of maternal licking on the development of the brain's stress hormone receptors. This is an example of epigenetic regulation, where environmental factors (such as maternal care) can influence the expression of certain genes without altering the underlying genetic sequence. In this case, the deprivation of normal licking is associated with increased levels of epigenetic molecules that block access to the "on" switch for stress hormone receptors, which suggests a mechanism for the long-term effects of early-life stress on behavior and physiology.

Question 6

Helping parents prepare for the needs of their future offspring who may be vulnerable to bipolar disorder is one of the benefits of

Accepted Answer

Prenatal genetic testing can help identify if a fetus carries any genetic markers or mutations associated with bipolar disorder, allowing parents to prepare for any potential needs their child may have in the future. The other options, free-floating stress hormones, a reactive temperament, and in utero exposure to epigenetic molecules, are not directly related to preparing for the needs of a child with bipolar disorder.

Question 7

If chronic child abuse alters a victim's gene expression in such a fashion as to trigger depression,this would be said to illustrate

Accepted Answer

An epigenetic effect refers to changes in gene expression that do not involve modifications to the DNA sequence itself. Chronic child abuse can lead to epigenetic changes that alter gene expression and increase the risk for depression.

Question 8

The study of influences on gene expression that occur without a DNA change is called

Accepted Answer

The study of influences on gene expression that occur without a DNA change is called epigenetics.

Question 9

An organic methyl molecule attached to part of a DNA strand has been identified as a(n)

Accepted Answer

An organic methyl molecule attached to part of a DNA strand is an epigenetic mark. Epigenetics refers to changes in gene expression that do not involve changes to the underlying DNA sequence, and DNA methylation is a common epigenetic modification. Methyl groups can be added to cytosine bases in DNA, which often results in gene silencing.

Question 10

Our adaptive flexibility in responding to different environments contributes to our fitness,which refers to

Accepted Answer

Fitness refers to our ability to survive and reproduce, which is directly related to how well we are able to adapt to different environments. Our adaptive flexibility allows us to better navigate changing environments and ultimately increases our chances of making successful offspring.

Question 11

The molecules that can block genetic expression are called

Accepted Answer

The molecules that can block genetic expression are epigenetic marks, which are modifications to the DNA molecule that can prevent genes from being expressed. Genomes and chromosomes are broader terms that refer to all of an organism's genetic material, rather than specific molecules that affect gene expression. Stress hormones may affect gene expression, but are not necessarily molecules that "block" it.

Question 12

Selective abortions in China and India have resulted in "millions" of "missing women." This outcome represents an ethical dilemma most closely linked with the development of

Accepted Answer

The practice of selective abortions is directly linked to the availability and use of prenatal genetic testing, which allows parents to identify the gender of their unborn child and choose to abort a female fetus. This raises ethical concerns about the value and rights of female lives, as well as the potential for societal imbalances and discrimination. Therefore, the most appropriate choice is prenatal genetic testing, which is the technology enabling this ethical dilemma.

Question 13

According to evolutionary psychologists,our predisposition to overconsume fatty junk foods most clearly illustrates that we are biologically prepared to behave in ways that promoted the ________ of our ancestors.

Accepted Answer

Evolutionary psychologists suggest that our desire to consume fatty junk food is rooted in our evolutionary history, as our ancestors who were able to consume high-calorie foods were more likely to survive and reproduce. This indicates that our behavior is biologically prepared to promote reproductive success.

Question 14

The principle of natural selection was first advanced by

Accepted Answer

The principle of natural selection, commonly referred to as "survival of the fittest," was first proposed by Charles Darwin in his book "On the Origin of Species" in 1859. This theory explains how certain advantageous traits in a population increase over time as organisms with these traits are more likely to survive and reproduce.

Question 15

Our shared human genome is the complete

Accepted Answer

The shared human genome refers to the specific set of genetic material that is common to all humans. This includes about 99.9% of our genetic makeup, with the remaining 0.1% accounting for our individual differences. Therefore, option C is the best choice as it correctly identifies the genetic profile common to all humanity.

Question 16

According to evolutionary psychologists,behaviors that promote reproductive success are likely to be

Accepted Answer

Evolutionary psychologists propose that behaviors promoting reproductive success are likely to be genetically predisposed. This is because genes that lead to successful reproduction tend to be passed on to the next generation, whereas genes that lead to unsuccessful reproduction tend to die out. Thus, over time, the genes that promote reproductive success become more prevalent in the population.

Question 17

A random error in gene replication is known as a(n)

Accepted Answer

A mutation is a random error that occurs during gene replication, leading to a change in the DNA sequence. This can result in a new trait, adaptation or genome, but it is the mutation itself that is the random error. Therefore, option C is the correct answer.

Question 18

Evolutionary psychology studies the evolution of behavior and the mind using principles of

Accepted Answer

Evolutionary psychology uses principles of natural selection to explain how our behaviors and cognitive processes have evolved over time. This includes how certain traits and behaviors may have provided an adaptive advantage for survival and reproduction in our ancestors.

Question 19

Evolutionary psychologists have suggested that our typical negative reaction to the prospect of directly harming another person is indicative of

Accepted Answer

Evolutionary psychologists argue that this negative reaction to harming others is indicative of a "universal moral grammar" or an innate moral sense that is present in all humans regardless of cultural or linguistic differences. This suggests that certain moral principles may be hardwired into the human brain through evolution.

Question 20

Several organisms from a strain of bacteria infecting hospital patients inherited a mutation that increased their resistance to the hospital's antibacterial drugs.Over time,the drug-resistant bacteria increasingly outnumbered the bacteria without the mutation.This best illustrates

Accepted Answer

This scenario is an example of natural selection. The mutation that increased resistance to the hospital's antibacterial drugs gave an advantage to the bacteria that possessed it, allowing them to survive and reproduce more successfully than their non-resistant counterparts. Over time, this led to an increase in the frequency of the resistant gene within the bacterial population.

Quiz 5: Nature, Nurture, and Human Diversity