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What are genes?
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What are genes?
Genes are the basic units of heredity in living organisms, providing information to build and maintain cells and pass genetic traits to offspring.
How many genes is the human genome composed of?
The human genome consists of approximately 25,000 genes.
What is an allele?
An allele is a different version of the same gene, e.g. an allele for blue eyes or brown eyes, inherited directly from each parent.
What is the difference between a genotype and a phenotype?
A genotype refers to all the genetic information held within an organism's DNA. Whereas, a phenotype is the observable physical and behavioural traits expressed by an organism, influenced by both genetic and environmental factors.
True or False?
Identical twins (monozygotic) always have identical personalities and abilities.
False.
Identical (monozygotic) twins may have different personalities and abilities due to environmental factors, despite sharing the same genetic makeup.
What is the MAOA gene responsible for regulating in the human body?
The MAOA gene is responsible for regulating the levels and activity of the MAOA enzyme, involved in the breakdown of neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine.
How do low levels of MAOA affect behaviour?
Low levels of MAOA have been linked to antisocial and aggressive behaviour, and mental health problems e.g. depression. This is due to irregular or disrupted levels of serotonin and dopamine.
True or False?
A dysfunctional MAOA gene can be inherited which means that the affected person will have a tendency towards depression and other negative behaviours throughout their life.
True.
A dysfunctional MAOA gene can be inherited which means that the affected person will have a tendency towards depression and other negative behaviours throughout their life.
What does the Brunner et al. (1993) study find regarding the MAOA gene?
The Brunner et al. (1993) study finds a link between a dysfunctional MAOA gene and antisocial behaviour observed in affected males of a large family in the Netherlands.
What is the link between the 5-HTT gene and serotonin?
The 5-HTT gene is responsible for transporting serotonin around the brain, influencing mood regulation and behaviour.
Dysfunction and mutations of the 5-HTT gene has been linked to which mental health disorders?
Dysfunction and mutations of the 5-HTT gene (resulting in changes in the transport of serotonin) has been linked to depression and anxiety.
True or False?
Caspi et al. (2003) studied the relationship between the MAOA gene and aggression.
False.
Caspi et al. (2003) investigated the relationship between the length of alleles on the 5-HTT gene and stress, depression, and anxiety.
Brunner et al. (1993) studied the relationship between the MAOA gene and aggression.
What is a case study?
A case study involves a close study of a small group of individuals to gather detailed information, often used to explore rare phenomena or conditions.
What is a quasi-experiment?
A quasi-experiment is a study where the independent variable (IV) is naturally occurring and cannot be manipulated by the researcher, such as genetic conditions.
True or False?
The aim of the Brunner et al. (1993) study is to investigate the violent, anti-social behaviour of male family members in the Netherlands with a genetic condition transmitted via the X chromosome on the MAOA gene.
True.
The aim of the Brunner et al. (1993) study is to investigate the violent, anti-social behaviour of male family members in the Netherlands with a genetic condition transmitted via the X chromosome on the MAOA gene.
How did Brunner et al. (1993) gather data for their study of 5 male Dutch family members?
Brunner et al. (1993) conducted DNA analysis using urine samples and gathered qualitative data through observations and interviews with the family.
What did Brunner et al. (1993) identify in the affected males' DNA structure?
Brunner et al. (1993) identified a base change in the DNA structure of affected males, resulting in flawed monoamine metabolism and MAOA deficiency.
Only males are affected because it is specifically the single X chromosome which is responsible for the production of MAOA.
True or False?
As identified by Brunner et al. (1993), MAOA deficiency may account for an individual’s inability to regulate their aggression, and this is now referred to 'Brunner syndrome'.
True.
As identified by Brunner et al. (1993), MAOA deficiency may account for an individual’s inability to regulate their aggression, and this is now referred to 'Brunner syndrome'.
Why is it a strength of the Brunner et al. (1993) study that they used one extended family as their participants?
It is a strength of Brunner et al. (1993) because using one extended family allowed direct testing of the theory with family members as control samples, validating genetic influence.
What does Caspi et al. (2003) investigate?
Caspi et al. (2003) investigated the link between alleles of the 5-HTT gene and depression, focusing on the role of genetics in mental health.
Caspi et al. (2003) carried out correlational analyses between which co-variables?
Caspi et al. (2003) carried out correlational analyses between the following co-variables:
each participant’s stressful life events and incidences of depression
the length of each participant's alleles and incidences of depression
perceived stress and length of each participant's alleles
As used in the Caspi et al. (2003) study, what is opportunity sampling?
As used in the Caspi et al. (2003) study, opportunity sampling is technique that selects participants for a study from those who are available and willing to take part.
True or False?
In the Caspi et al. (2003) study, participants with two short 5-HTT alleles reported fewer depression symptoms overall.
False.
In the Caspi et al. (2003) study, participants with two short 5-HTT alleles reported more depression symptoms in response to stressful life events compared to other groups.
What are the implications of the Caspi et al. (2003) findings regarding depression?
The findings suggest that there may be a relationship between genetics (5-HTT alleles) and the onset of depression triggered by stressful life events.
True or False?
A strength of the Caspi et al. (2003) study is that self-report data is used.
False.
It is a limitation of the Caspi et al. (2003) study that self-report data is used because it is prone to bias, e.g. social desirability bias or response bias, reducing the validity of the findings.
Why might the Caspi et al. (2003) study be considered reductionist?
The Caspi et al. (2003) study be considered reductionist as it provides an overly simplistic explanation of depression. Depression is complex and may be due to a number of factors, both biological and non-biological.