Term
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Definition
| Directly observable characteristics. |
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Term
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Definition
| The complex blend of genetic information that determines our species and influences all our unique characteristics. |
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Term
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Definition
| Rodlike structure which stores and transmits genetic information. |
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Term
| Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) |
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Definition
| Chemical substance which chromosomes are made up of. |
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Term
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Definition
| Segment of DNA along the length of the chromosome. |
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Term
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Definition
| The process through which DNA duplicates itself; unique feature of DNA. |
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Term
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Definition
| Sex cells; the sperm and ovum. |
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Term
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Definition
| Cell division process through which gametes are formed. Halves the number of chromosomes normally present in body cells. |
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Term
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Definition
| The resulting cell when sperm and ovum unite at conception. |
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Term
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Definition
| Special event in which chromosomes next to each other break at one or more points along their length and exchange segments, so that genes from one are replaced by genes from another. |
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Term
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Definition
| The 22 matching pairs of chromosomes, numbered from longest (1) to shortest (22), that are not sex chromosomes. |
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Term
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Definition
| The twenty-third pair of chromosomes. In females it is called XX, in males it is called XY. |
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Term
| Fraternal (Dizygotic) Twins |
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Definition
| The most common type of multiple birth, resulting from release and fertilization of two ova. |
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Term
| Identical (Monozygotic) Twins |
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Definition
| A zygote that has started to duplicate separates into two clusters of cells that develop into two individuals with the same genetic makeup. |
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Term
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Definition
| Each form of a gene. Two forms of each gene occur at the same place on the chromosomes, one inherited from the mother and one from the father. |
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Term
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Definition
| When alleles from both parents are alike, and the child displays the inherited trait. |
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Term
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Definition
| When alleles are different and relationships between the alleles determine the phenotype. |
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Term
| Dominant-Recessive Inheritance |
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Definition
| Only one allele affects the child's characteristics. |
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Term
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Definition
| Heterozygous individuals with just one recessive allele can still pass that trait to their children. |
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Term
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Definition
| Enhance or dilute the effects of other genes. |
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Term
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Definition
| A pattern of inheritance in which both alleles are expressed in the phenotype, resulting in a combined trait, or one that is intermediate between the two. |
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Term
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Definition
| When a harmful allele is carried on the X chromosome. Males are more likely to be affected because their sex chromosomes do not match. |
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Term
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Definition
| Alleles are chemically marked (imprinted) in such a way that one pair member (either the mother's or the father's) is activated, regardless of its makeup. |
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Term
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Definition
| A sudden but permanent change in a segment of DNA. |
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Term
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Definition
| Many genes affect the characteristic in question. |
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Term
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Definition
| A communication process designed to help couples assess their chances of giving birth to a baby with a hereditary disorder and choose the best course of action in view of risks and family goals. |
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Term
| Prenatal Diagnostic Methods |
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Definition
| Medical procedures that permit detection of developmental problems before birth. |
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Term
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Definition
| Mutually supporting each other's parenting behaviors. |
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Term
| Socioeconomic Status (SES) |
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Definition
| An index through which researchers assess a family's standing on the social position and economic well-being continuum. Combines three related but not completely overlapping variables: Measure of Social Status (1) years of education (2) the prestige of one's job and skill it requires and Measure of Economic Status (3) income. |
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Term
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Definition
| Groups of people with beliefs and customs that differ from those of the larger culture. |
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Term
| Extended-Family Household |
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Definition
| Parent and child live with one or more adult relatives. |
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Term
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Definition
| People define themselves as part of a group and stress group over individual goals. |
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Term
| Individualistic Societies |
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Definition
| People think of themselves as separate entities and are largely concerned with their own personal needs. |
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Term
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Definition
| Laws and government programs designed to improve current conditions. |
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Term
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Definition
| Field devoted to uncovering the contributions of nature and nurture to the diversity in human traits and abilities. |
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Term
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Definition
| Measure the extent to which individual differences in complex traits in a specific population are due to genetic factors. |
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Term
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Definition
| Compare the characteristics of family members. |
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Term
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Definition
| Each person's unique, genetically determined response to the environment. |
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Term
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Definition
| The tendency of heredity to restrict the development of some characteristics to just one or a few outcomes. |
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Term
| Genetic-Environmental Correlation |
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Definition
| Says our genes influence the environments to which we are exposed. |
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Term
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Definition
| The tendency to actively choose environments that compliment our heredity. |
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Term
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Definition
| Development resulting from ongoing, bidirectional exchanges between heredity and all levels of the environment. |
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