Question 1

David and Kelly are seeking help for infertility. Under their physician's guidance, they decide to undergo a procedure in which Kelly's eggs are combined in a laboratory dish with her husband's sperms. What is this procedure called?

Accepted Answer

The procedure described is called in vitro fertilization (IVF).

Question 2

________ correlations occur because a child's genetically influenced characteristics elicit certain types of environments.

Accepted Answer

Evocative genotype-environment correlations occur because a child's genetically influenced characteristics elicit certain types of environments. For example, a child who is naturally outgoing and sociable may be more likely to seek out social interactions, which in turn reinforce and strengthen their social skills.

Question 3

According to Sandra Scarr's description of the three ways that heredity and environment can be correlated, passive genotype-environment correlations occur because

Accepted Answer

Passive genotype-environment correlations occur because biological parents provide a rearing environment for a child. This means that a child's genes and environment are correlated because the child's biological parents provide both the child's genes and the child's early rearing environment.

Question 4

________ is a social and legal process by which a parent-child relationship is established between persons unrelated at birth.

Accepted Answer

Adoption is a social and legal process by which a parent-child relationship is established between persons unrelated at birth. Kinship care refers to the care of children by relatives or close family friends. Rebirthing is a controversial therapy that involves suffocation and is not recognized as a legitimate treatment. Guardianship refers to a legal relationship in which someone who is not the child's biological parent is given legal custody and responsibility for the child's care.

Question 5

Amniocentesis brings a small risk of

Accepted Answer

Amniocentesis carries a small, but real risk of miscarriage, estimated at about 0.1-0.2%. The other options are not associated with amniocentesis.

Question 6

Which of the following is the main risk factor that a couple must be aware of when undergoing fertility treatments?

Accepted Answer

The main risk factor that a couple must be aware of when undergoing fertility treatments is an increase in the possibility of multiple births when such treatments are used. Fertility treatments increase the chances of multiple births, which carry a higher risk of complications for both the mother and babies. This is why it is important for couples to discuss the risks and benefits of these treatments with their healthcare provider before making a decision to undergo them.

Question 7

Which of the following is most likely to be a cause of infertility in a woman?

Accepted Answer

A disease that hinders the implantation of the embryo into the uterus is a common cause of female infertility. It could be due to conditions like endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), or structural abnormalities in the uterus. Unblocked fallopian tubes are necessary for fertility as they help transport the egg to the uterus, increased muscle mass is not directly linked to infertility, and eggs lacking motility are more likely to cause issues with fertilization rather than female infertility.

Question 8

________ is the field that seeks to discover the influence of heredity and environment on individual differences in human traits and development.

Accepted Answer

Behavior genetics is the field of study that aims to understand how genetics and environmental factors contribute to individual differences in behavior and development. It involves analyzing the extent to which genes and environmental factors interact to produce certain behaviors or traits, such as personality, intelligence, and mental health.

Question 9

Don and Ellie are trying to conceive a baby. How long should they wait before they suspect infertility?

Accepted Answer

It is recommended to wait at least 12 months before suspecting infertility, as it can take up to a year for a healthy couple to conceive. If they have not conceived after a year of trying, they should seek medical evaluation and treatment for infertility.

Question 10

Rachel loves to read books, and she also encourages her daughter to read by regularly taking her to the local library and buying her lots of books. Rachel's daughter is now an avid reader. This reflects a(n) ________ correlation.

Accepted Answer

This scenario is an example of a passive genotype-environment correlation, where the child's environment (being surrounded by books and encouraged to read) is influenced by the parents' own interests and behaviors, without the child actively choosing this environment.

Question 11

Charlie is a cooperative, attentive child and is a favorite at home and school; he receives positive, instructive responses from adults. This is indicative of a(n)

Accepted Answer

The positive responses that Charlie receives suggest that he is evoking positive responses from the adults around him, indicative of an evocative genotype-environment correlation. Charlie's genetics likely contribute to his cooperative and attentive behavior, which in turn elicits positive responses from those around him.

Question 12

The current maternal blood screening test is called the triple screen because

Accepted Answer

The triple screen measures three substances in the mother's blood: alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), and estriol.

Question 13

Timothy is a shy 6-year-old who is usually withdrawn in class. He is always distracted in class and refuses to cooperate with other students during class activities. He does not volunteer to answer questions, and as his teachers find it difficult to elicit any response from him, they choose to ignore him. He is not liked by his classmates as he never shares his belongings. As a result, he mostly plays by himself. According to Sandra Scarr's description of the three ways that heredity and environment can be correlated, which of the following correlations is most likely exhibited in this scenario?

Accepted Answer

Timothy's behavior elicits specific responses from his environment, such as his teachers choosing to ignore him and his classmates not liking him, which aligns with an evocative genotype-environment correlation. This correlation occurs when an individual's inherited characteristics evoke responses from others in their environment.

Question 14

By far the most common high-tech assisted reproduction technique used is

Accepted Answer

In vitro fertilization (IVF) is the most commonly used high-tech assisted reproduction technique, where eggs are fertilized outside the body and then implanted in the uterus. Artificial insemination, in vivo fertilization, and spermatogenesis are not as widely used as IVF.

Question 15

In twin studies, it is most common to

Accepted Answer

Twin studies aim to explore the influence of genetics and environment on behavioral traits. The most common approach is to compare the behavioral similarity of identical twins (who share 100% of their genetic material) with the behavioral similarity of fraternal twins (who share 50% of their genetic material) as they grow up in the same or different environments. By comparing the concordance of traits between these two groups, researchers can estimate heritability, which is the proportion of differences in a trait that is attributable to genetics. Comparing identical and fraternal twins is the most powerful design to separate genetic and environmental factors in influencing behavior.

Question 16

Which of the following statements is true about adopted children?

Accepted Answer

Research has consistently shown that children who are adopted early in life are more likely to have positive outcomes, both emotionally and academically, than those who are adopted later in life. These positive outcomes can include improved self-esteem, fewer behavior problems, and better relationships with peers and adults. It is important for adopted children to have access to information about their birth families, as it can help them form a stronger sense of identity and feel more secure in their adoptive families. However, whether or not they should meet their birth parents is a personal decision that should be made on a case-by-case basis, taking into account the child's needs and desires as well as their birth parents' ability to handle the situation in a healthy way. The statement that most adopted children struggle with school, peer relationships, and self-esteem is a stereotype that is not supported by research. While some adopted children may experience these difficulties, many do not, and it is important not to generalize based on limited anecdotal evidence.

Question 17

Brad is an athletic child, and he is in every sports team in school as he enjoys sports immensely. He regularly practices football, tennis, and basketball and hopes to become the captain of one of the sports teams. This scenario most likely reflects ________ correlations that occur when children seek out environments that they find compatible and stimulating.

Accepted Answer

This scenario reflects active (niche-picking) genotype-environment correlations because Brad is actively seeking out environments that he finds compatible and stimulating, such as sports teams, to pursue his interests and talents.

Question 18

Which of the following is an example of a passive genotype-environment correlation?

Accepted Answer

Passive genotype-environment correlation occurs when the parents provide both genes and the environment to the children, without the children's influence. In choice C, musically inclined parents (genetic predisposition) are likely to provide a musical environment (encouraging their children to learn an instrument), which is an example of this correlation.

Question 19

Tracy's parents are avid sports fans. Since she was a child, they took her to numerous baseball and football games, and Tracy regularly watched the sports channel with her dad. When she was old enough, her parents made her join the little league team at her school and she performed well. This is an example of a(n)

Accepted Answer

This is an example of a passive genotype-environment correlation, where the environment that parents provide is influenced by their own interests or genes, and the child passively receives this environment. In this case, Tracy's exposure to and involvement in sports is due to her parents' interests rather than her own initial choice.

Question 20

Which of the following statements regarding chorionic villus sampling (CVS) and amniocentesis is true?

Accepted Answer

Both CVS and amniocentesis provide valuable information about the presence of birth defects. However, the risk of miscarriage is slightly higher with CVS compared to amniocentesis. There is no evidence that either procedure increases the risk of limb deformities in the fetus. The decision on abortion timing is a personal choice and may vary depending on individual circumstances.

Quiz 2: Biological Beginnings