Question 1

Research studies carried out on children adopted at birth by parents not related to them to determine the relative influence of heredity and environment on human behavior are called ________ studies.
A) selection
B) adoption
C) case
D) strain

Accepted Answer

Adoption studies involve comparing the traits and behaviors of children who were adopted at birth to their biological parents (heredity) and their adoptive parents (environment). This helps to determine the relative influence of genetics and environment on various traits and behaviors. Selection studies focus on comparing groups of people who differ in a certain trait, such as high intelligence, to determine if there are genetic or environmental factors contributing to that trait. Case studies involve in-depth analysis of a single individual or group, while strain studies examine the effects of stress and adversity on behavior.

Question 2

The mechanism proposed by Darwin in his theory of evolution stating that organisms best adapted to their environment tend to survive and transmit their genetic characteristics to their offspring, is called ________.
A) mutational transmosis
B) natural selection
C) behavior genetics
D) random adaptation

Accepted Answer

The mechanism proposed by Darwin in his theory of evolution is called natural selection. This theory explains that organisms that are best adapted to their environment tend to survive and reproduce more successfully than others, passing on their beneficial traits to their offspring.

Question 3

The scientist who proposed the mechanism of natural selection to explain the process of evolution was ________.
A) Pasteur
B) Watson
C) Darwin
D) Freud

Accepted Answer

The scientist who proposed the mechanism of natural selection to explain the process of evolution was Charles Darwin.

Question 4

One process by which physicians can test a fetus, in the womb, for possible genetic abnormalities (defects) is called ________.
A) ultrasound
B) positron emission tomography scanning
C) amniocentesis
D) immunotherapy

Accepted Answer

Amniocentesis is a procedure in which a small amount of amniotic fluid is extracted from the amniotic sac surrounding the fetus, and the fluid is analyzed for possible genetic abnormalities. Ultrasound is a non-invasive imaging technique that uses sound waves to visualize the fetus and monitor its growth and development, but it does not directly test for genetic defects. Positron emission tomography scanning is a medical imaging technique that is used to visualize the body's metabolism and functions, but it is not typically used to test for genetic defects in a fetus. Immunotherapy is a type of medical treatment that aims to boost the body's immune system to fight against diseases or disorders; it is not used to test for genetic defects in a fetus.

Question 5

Twins that develop from a single fertilized ovum are ________ twins.
A) symbiotic
B) fraternal
C) Siamese
D) identical

Accepted Answer

Twins that develop from a single fertilized ovum are known as identical or monozygotic twins. This means that they share the same genetic material and are almost always the same sex.

Question 6

Todd's fraternal twin brother suffers from schizophrenia. The odds are ________ percent that he, too, will develop this mental illness.
A) 100
B) 25
C) 50
D) 15

Accepted Answer

Fraternal twins share about 50% of their genes, and the risk for schizophrenia in fraternal twins is about 15%, which is higher than the general population but lower than identical twins.

Question 7

Studies of heritability in humans that assume that if genes influence a certain trait, close relatives should be more similar with that trait than distant relatives are called ________ studies.
A) strain
B) selection
C) family
D) twin

Accepted Answer

Family studies assume that traits are more similar among close relatives than among more distant ones. This method compares the resemblance among family members for a particular trait. While twin studies are also used to measure heritability, they specifically investigate the influence of genes and environment by comparing identical twins (who share 100% of their genes) with fraternal twins (who share 50% of their genes on average). Strain and selection are not relevant to this question.

Question 8

Prenatal screening techniques such as amniocentesis detect genetic problems in ________ percent of pregnancies.
A) about 10
B) about 2
C) less than 1
D) about 5

Accepted Answer

The answer of Prenatal screening techniques such as amniocentesis detect...

Question 9

Twins that develop from two separate fertilized egg cells and are therefore different in genetic make-up are ________ twins.
A) fraternal
B) Siamese
C) symbiotic
D) identical

Accepted Answer

Fraternal twins develop from two separate fertilized egg cells and are therefore different in genetic make-up. Siamese twins refer to conjoined twins, who are physically attached to each other. Symbiotic twins is not a recognized term in biology. Identical twins develop from a single fertilized egg cell that splits into two embryos, making them genetically identical.

Question 10

Each of the following is true of family study research designs in behavior genetics except they ________.
A) make it possible to rule out the role of the environment
B) are designed for human research
C) suggest a role for heredity in schizophrenia
D) assume a greater similarity of a trait among close relatives as opposed to distant relatives

Accepted Answer

Family study research designs in behavior genetics do not make it possible to rule out the role of the environment. In fact, these designs are specifically used to investigate the relative contributions of genes and environment to the expression of a trait or disorder.

Question 11

Scientists studying behavior genetics in humans commonly use which of the following types of studies for their research on people?
A) Twin, family, and selection studies, but not strain studies.
B) Twin and family studies, but not selection or strain studies.
C) Twin, family, selection, and strain studies.
D) Twin studies, but not family, selection, or strain studies.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Scientists studying behavior genetics in humans commonly...

Question 12

Which of the following have the most similar genetic composition?
A) identical twins
B) cousins
C) fraternal twins
D) siblings

Accepted Answer

Identical twins have the most similar genetic composition because they are formed from a single fertilized egg that splits into two embryos. This means that they share 100% of their DNA. Cousins share a portion of their DNA due to shared ancestry, but not nearly as much as identical twins. Fraternal twins come from two separate fertilized eggs and may share varying amounts of DNA, similar to siblings. Siblings may have similar DNA due to shared parents, but they do not share exactly the same genetic composition.

Question 13

An extremely useful research method for studying human behavior genetics is a ________.
A) twin study
B) strain study
C) selection study
D) selective breeding study

Accepted Answer

Twin studies are extremely useful in determining the extent to which genes and environment influence behavior by comparing identical twins (who share all their genes) with fraternal twins (who share only about half their genes). This allows researchers to disentangle the effects of genetic and environmental factors on behavior.

Question 14

Todd's identical twin brother suffers from schizophrenia. The odds are about one out of ________ that he, too, will develop this mental illness.
A) eight
B) two
C) four
D) six

Accepted Answer

Identical twins share 100% of their genes, so if one twin has schizophrenia, the other twin has a 50% chance of developing it.

Question 15

A procedure in which some of the cells that the fetus casts off into the fluid surrounding it in the womb are collected and tested for chromosomal or genetic defects is ________.
A) chorionic villus sampling
B) ultrasound
C) amniocentesis
D) intra-uterine probe testing

Accepted Answer

Amniocentesis is a procedure where amniotic fluid, which contains fetal cells, is collected from the amniotic sac surrounding a developing fetus to test for chromosomal or genetic defects.

Question 16

Fraternal twins are ________ similar genetically than are other brothers and sisters.
A) much more
B) much less
C) no more
D) slightly more

Accepted Answer

Fraternal twins are no more genetically similar than other siblings; they share, on average, 50% of their genes, just like any other set of siblings.

Question 17

Which of the following types of studies is least effective in ruling out environmental effects in the development of traits?
A) strain studies
B) family studies
C) twin studies
D) selection studies

Accepted Answer

Family studies cannot rule out environmental effects as family members share both genes and environment.

Question 18

A procedure in which cells are collected from the membranes surrounding the fetus, then are tested for genetic abnormalities, is called ________.
A) intra-uterine probe testing
B) chorionic villus sampling
C) ultrasound
D) amniocentesis

Accepted Answer

Chorionic villus sampling (CVS) is a procedure in which cells are collected from the chorionic villi, the small finger-like projections in the placenta that provide nutrients to the developing fetus. These cells are then tested for genetic abnormalities. In contrast, amniocentesis involves collecting cells from the amniotic fluid surrounding the fetus, while intra-uterine probe testing and ultrasound are imaging techniques used to visualize the developing fetus.

Question 19

From an evolutionary perspective, for mate selection in humans, it is most advantageous for ________.
A) both males and females to seek as many mates as possible
B) males to seek one long-term mate but for females to seek as many mates as possible
C) both males and females to seek one mate for life
D) females to seek one long-term mate but for males to seek as many mates as possible

Accepted Answer

From an evolutionary perspective, it is most advantageous for females to seek one long-term mate who can provide resources and protection for offspring, while males can increase their reproductive success by seeking as many mates as possible to spread their genes.

Question 20

Each of the following is a current criticism of evolutionary psychology except ________.
A) it uses science to justify perpetuating unjust social policies
B) by saying a trait is adaptive, it implies that the trait is good
C) it too hastily explains behaviors from an evolutionary perspective rather than investigating other origins for them
D) it lacks the basic scientific methodology to properly study any of its claims

Accepted Answer

All of the other options are current criticisms of evolutionary psychology, but option D is incorrect as evolutionary psychology does use basic scientific methodology to study its claims.

Quiz 2: The Biological Basis of Behavior

Research studies carried out on children adopted at birth by parents not related to them to determine the relative influence of heredity and environment on human behavior are called ________ studies.

The mechanism proposed by Darwin in his theory of evolution stating that organisms best adapted to their environment tend to survive and transmit their genetic characteristics to their offspring, is called ________.

The scientist who proposed the mechanism of natural selection to explain the process of evolution was ________.

One process by which physicians can test a fetus, in the womb, for possible genetic abnormalities (defects) is called ________.

Twins that develop from a single fertilized ovum are ________ twins.

Todd's fraternal twin brother suffers from schizophrenia. The odds are ________ percent that he, too, will develop this mental illness.

Studies of heritability in humans that assume that if genes influence a certain trait, close relatives should be more similar with that trait than distant relatives are called ________ studies.

Prenatal screening techniques such as amniocentesis detect genetic problems in ________ percent of pregnancies.

Twins that develop from two separate fertilized egg cells and are therefore different in genetic make-up are ________ twins.

Each of the following is true of family study research designs in behavior genetics except they ________.

Scientists studying behavior genetics in humans commonly use which of the following types of studies for their research on people?

Which of the following have the most similar genetic composition?

An extremely useful research method for studying human behavior genetics is a ________.

Todd's identical twin brother suffers from schizophrenia. The odds are about one out of ________ that he, too, will develop this mental illness.

A procedure in which some of the cells that the fetus casts off into the fluid surrounding it in the womb are collected and tested for chromosomal or genetic defects is ________.

Fraternal twins are ________ similar genetically than are other brothers and sisters.

Which of the following types of studies is least effective in ruling out environmental effects in the development of traits?

A procedure in which cells are collected from the membranes surrounding the fetus, then are tested for genetic abnormalities, is called ________.

From an evolutionary perspective, for mate selection in humans, it is most advantageous for ________.

Each of the following is a current criticism of evolutionary psychology except ________.