Lecture 10

Genes 1

1. Evolution, Genetics, & Psychology
1. Evolutionary Psychology
2. Behavioral Genetics
2. Protein Synthesis
1. Amino Acids
2. Proteins
3. Genes
4. Genome
3. Gene Replication
1. Meiosis
2. Alleles
3. Genotypes & Phenotypes
4. Monogenic & Polygenic Traits
4. Psychology and Genetics
1. Topics
2. Understanding What's Inherited

Overview

If we accept that psychological phenomena have a biological basis, we must also consider the origins of biological structures and processes. Like all aspects of our anatomy, the nervous system is inherited from our biological parents and its specification is contained in our DNA. To understand ourselves as a species and how we differ as individuals, we need to understand mechanisms of inheritance.

I began this lecture by discussing protein synthesis. Proteins are molecules that influence virtually all aspects of human functioning. They are synthesized from amino acids, and the blueprint used to create proteins is specified by DNA molecules found in chromosomes.

We then discussed gene replication, and the importance of distinguishing between genotypes and phenotypes. Finally, we noted that, unlike some physical phenomena (e.g., dimples), psychological phenomena are influenced by a host of genes working together in ways not yet fully understood.

Specifics

1. Define evolutionary psychology and behavioral genetics.
2. Define each of the following terms and be able to describe their relationship (i.e., what produces what): Amino acids, chromosomes, codons, DNA molecules, genes, proteins.
3. Define and distinguish the terms in each of the following pairs: (a) mitosis and meiosis, (b) genes and alleles, (c) genotypes and phenotypes, and (d) monogenic and polygenic traits.