Question 1

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

Accepted Answer

Charles Darwin proposed the mechanism of natural selection in his book "On the Origin of Species" published in 1859.

Question 2

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

Accepted Answer

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

Question 3

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

Accepted Answer

Amniocentesis is a medical procedure in which a small sample of amniotic fluid, the fluid surrounding the fetus in the womb, is extracted and analyzed for genetic abnormalities. This test can identify certain genetic disorders, such as Down syndrome or cystic fibrosis, before the baby is born. Ultrasound and positron emission tomography scanning are imaging techniques that can be used to visualize the fetus, but they do not provide information about genetic abnormalities. Immunotherapy is a treatment for certain diseases, but it is not a diagnostic test for genetic abnormalities in fetuses.

Question 4

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

Accepted Answer

Fraternal twins develop from two separate fertilized egg cells and are therefore different in genetic make-up. This is different from identical twins, which develop from a single fertilized egg and share the same genetic make-up. Siamese and symbiotic are not accurate terms for describing twins.

Question 5

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

Accepted Answer

The answer of Todd's fraternal twin brother suffers from schizophrenia....

Question 6

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

Accepted Answer

The answer of Todd's identical twin brother suffers from schizophrenia....

Question 7

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

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 8

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

Accepted Answer

Twins that develop from a single fertilized ovum are known as identical twins, also called monozygotic twins. This is because they originate from a single fertilized egg that splits into two embryos. The result is two babies that have the same genetic material and physical features, and are the same sex.

Question 9

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

Accepted Answer

The given description matches the procedure of chorionic villus sampling. Intra-uterine probe testing and ultrasound are imaging techniques used during pregnancy, while amniocentesis involves collecting amniotic fluid from the amniotic sac surrounding the fetus for genetic testing.

Question 10

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.

Accepted Answer

Adoption studies are the research studies that are 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. Selection studies are the studies that compare people who were selected for a particular trait or characteristic to those who were not selected. Case studies are in-depth investigations of an individual or small group. Strain studies are not a type of research study.

Question 11

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

Accepted Answer

Twin studies allow us to compare the similarities and differences between identical twins who share 100% of their DNA and fraternal twins who share only 50% of their DNA, which can provide insight into the heritability of certain traits and behaviors.

Question 12

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

Accepted Answer

Family study research designs in behavior genetics do not make it possible to rule out the role of the environment. In fact, they often aim to understand the interplay between genetic and environmental factors in the development of traits and disorders.

Question 13

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 ________.

Accepted Answer

This describes the mechanism proposed by Darwin in his theory of evolution. Choice A is not a known theory or mechanism in biology. Choice C is a field of study in biology but not a mechanism for evolution. Choice D does not accurately describe the mechanism proposed by Darwin.

Question 14

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 ________.

Accepted Answer

The answer of A procedure in which some of the...

Question 15

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

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 16

Which of the following have the most similar genetic composition?

Accepted Answer

Identical twins come from a single fertilized egg that splits into two embryos, which means they have nearly identical genetic composition. On the other hand, fraternal twins come from two separate fertilized eggs and may have different genetic compositions. Siblings only share about 50% of their genetic material, while cousins share even less.

Question 17

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.

Accepted Answer

Family studies examine the degree of resemblance of a trait among family members, including both close and distant relatives, in order to estimate heritability. Strain and selection studies are more commonly used in animal and plant genetics, while twin studies specifically focus on the heritability of traits in twins.

Question 18

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

Accepted Answer

The other three criticisms (A, B, and C) are commonly raised against evolutionary psychology. However, the criticism in D is not accurate as evolutionary psychology adheres to basic scientific methodology in studying its claims.

Question 19

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

Accepted Answer

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

Question 20

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

Accepted Answer

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

Quiz 2: The Biological Basis of Behavior