Question 1

In humans, each cell normally contains 23 pairs of chromosomes, a total of 46. Twenty-two of these pairs, called ______ look the same in both males and females.

Accepted Answer

Autosomes are the 22 pairs of chromosomes that look the same in both males and females, not involved in determining sex.

Question 2

What is composed of nucleotides deoxyribose sugar, a phosphate group, and one of four nitrogen bases?

Accepted Answer

DNA is composed of nucleotides, which include a deoxyribose sugar, a phosphate group, and one of four nitrogen bases (adenine, thymine, cytosine, or guanine).

Question 3

The ______ is the part of the individual's genetic makeup which determines their potential characteristics.

Accepted Answer

The genotype refers to the genetic makeup of an individual that determines their potential characteristics. The phenotype, on the other hand, is the actual expression of these characteristics, influenced by both the genotype and environmental factors.

Question 4

Research by Polderman et al. (2015) found that across all traits the reported heritability was ______%.

Accepted Answer

Polderman et al. (2015) conducted a large-scale analysis of twin studies and reported that the average heritability across all traits studied was 49%.

Question 5

The findings of genome-wide association studies have been ______.

Accepted Answer

The findings of genome-wide association studies have often been disappointing due to a lack of consistency in findings across different studies, making it challenging to draw firm conclusions or replicate results.

Question 6

According to the National Society of Genetic Counsellors (NSGC, 2017), meeting with a genetic counsellor is beneficial in cases where a person or close relative has experienced ______.

Accepted Answer

Meeting with a genetic counselor is beneficial in all these cases because they involve conditions or situations where genetic factors play a significant role, and understanding the genetic implications can help in managing the condition and making informed decisions about healthcare and family planning.

Question 7

______ is the study of heritable changes caused by mechanisms other than changes in the underlying DNA sequence.

Accepted Answer

Epigenetics is the study of heritable changes in gene expression that do not involve changes to the underlying DNA sequence. These changes can affect how genes are turned on or off without altering the DNA sequence itself.

Question 8

Within the ______, epigenetics are involved in various neurodegenerative disorders and physiological responses such as Alzheimer's disease, depression and epilepsy.

Accepted Answer

Epigenetics plays a crucial role in the central nervous system, influencing the development and progression of neurodegenerative disorders and physiological responses, including Alzheimer's disease, depression, and epilepsy.

Question 9

Intergenerational transmission to offspring from parental exposures and characteristics can be ______ the general links that occur between parental problems and offspring outcomes (Bowers and Yehuda, 2015).

Accepted Answer

Intergenerational transmission refers to the more specific mechanisms through which parental exposures and characteristics are passed down to offspring, beyond the general associations observed between parental issues and child outcomes.

Question 10

Maltreatment during childhood is associated with reduced volume of both the midsaggital area and hippocampus, two brain regions involved in ______.

Accepted Answer

The midsaggital area and hippocampus are both crucial for learning and memory processes, and maltreatment during childhood has been linked to reduced volumes in these areas, affecting these cognitive functions.

Quiz 3: Genetics, Epigenetics and Early Life Development