LIFESPAN PSYCHOLOGY CHAPTER2: BIOLOGICAL BEGINNINGS

- EVOLUTIONARY PERSPECTIVE:
• Darwin emphasized natural selection & adaptive behavior.
• Natural selection ~ evolutionary process by which best adapted organisms survive & reproduce.
• Adaptive behavior ~ behavior that promotes an organism’s survival in the natural habitat.
• Evolutionary psych ~ emphasizes imp of adaptation, reproduction, and survival of the fittest in
shaping behavior.
• evolutionary theorists stress that an organism's success lies in how many number of offsprings it
leaves behind.

- GENETICS:
- biological context of development.
- human life begins as a cell.
- cell nucleus contains chromosomes (thread-like structures containing DNA).
- DNA ~ double helix structure containing genetic info.
- Genes ~ unit of hereditary info.
- each gene has its own location on a particular chromosome.
- Genome ~ gene that contains complete set of developmental instructions for the making of a human
organism.
- human genome project attempted to map human genome.
- humans have around 20,000 to 22,000 genes.
- we have far more proteins than genes.
- genetic expression is affected by the environment (light, day length, nutrition, behavior).
- internal & external events can excite or inhibit gene expression.
- Karyotype ~ photograph of human chromosomes.

- GENETIC FOUNDATIONS:
- Phenotype ~ observable characteristics.
- Genotype ~ genetic traits. determines our characteristics.
- a range of phenotypes can be expressed for each genotype (diff eye colors in siblings).
- all cells in the human body (except sperm and egg) have 46 chromosomes arranged in 23 pairs.
- Mitosis ~ division of cells.
- Meiosis ~ cell division that forms sperm & eggs (gametes).
- Dominant gene ~ gene that has tendency to be expressed.
- Recessive gene ~ gene that has weak influence.
- Dominant-recessive genes principle ~ dominant gene always exerts its effects, overriding the potential
influence of the recessive gene.
- recessive gene only exerts influence if both genes in a pair are recessive.
- Zygote ~ when sperm & ovum unite & fertilize.
- Autosomes ~ matching pairs of chromosomes - 22 pairs.
- Sex chromosomes ~ 23rd pair, either XX (female) or XY (male).

- Heredity-Environment Correlational View:

• heritable traits influence the environment.
• e.g.: a shy child (partly genetically influenced) may be less fun to other children, making other
children less likely to want to spend time with him or her.
• when individuals seek out environments that support their genetic tendencies.
• e.g.: kids w natural musical ability will seek out music classes & opportunities.

- Epigenetic View:
• behaviors & environment can affect the way our genes express themselves.
• e.g.: a kid w speech disorder may get an appropriate environment (speech therapy) which will help
improve their speech.

- GENETIC DISORDERS:

1. DOMINANT GENE DISORDER:

i) Huntington's Cholera:
• nervous sys suddenly deteriorates resulting in uncontrollable muscular movement & disordered
brain function.
• esp. strike 30-40 year olds.
 • is fatal.

ii) Tay-Sachs Disease:

• lack of enzyme that breaks down fats in brain cells causes progressive brain deterioration.
• affected children usually die by the age of 6.

2. RECESSIVE TRAIT DISORDER:

i) Phenylketonuria (PKU):
• inherited metabolism disease.
• due to build up of amino acid called phenylalanine.
• can cause severe mental retardation.

ii) Sickle-Cell Anemia:

• blood disease.
• RBC's change shape & do not distribute oxygen efficiently to the cells of the body.
• blood is also chronically low in oxygen.
• lack of oxygen-rich blood can damage nerves & organs, including kidneys, liver and spleen.
• can be fatal.

3. CHROMOSOMAL ABNORMALITIES:
i) Down Syndrome:
• named after John Langdon H. Down.
• extra copy of 21st chromosome.
• have total of 47 instead of 46 chromosomes.
• have distinctive facial features ~ flattened face, folds on eyelids etc.
• effects ~ motor abnormalities, language difficulties, severe to moderate mental retardation.

ii) Klinefelter's Syndrome:

• also called XXY.
• males have extra X chromosome.
 • due to non-disjunction of X chromosome.
• sperm comes w both X and Y. female already has an X.
• puts males at greater risk of breast cancer probs w sexual function, infertility, osteoporosis etc.

iii) Turner's Syndrome:

• females missing an X chromosome.
• underdeveloped ovaries, short stature, webbed appearance.
• lack secondary sexual characteristics.

- XYY syndrome ~ males have an extra Y chromosome.