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Myers Psychology Chapter 3 Key Terms

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threadlike structures made of DNA molecules that contain the genes
a complex molecule containing the genetic information that makes up the chromosomes. (A ____ molecule has two strands - forming a "double helix" - held together by bonds between pairs of nucleotides.)
the biochemical units of heredity that make up the chromosomes; a segment of DNA capable of synthesizing a protein
the complete instructions for making an organism, consisting of all the genetic material in its chromosomes. The human genome has 3 billion weakly bonded pairs of nucleotides organized as coiled chains of DNA
the principle that, among the range of inherited trait variations, those that lead to increased reproduction and survival will most likely be passed on to succeeding generations
a random error in gene replication that leads to a change in the sequence of nucleotides; the source of all genetic diversity
the study of the evolution of behavior and the mind, using principles of natural selection. Natural selection has favored genes that designed both behavioral tendencies and information=processing systems that solved adaptive problems faced by our ancestors, thus contributing to the survival and spread of their genes
in psychology, the characteristics, whether biologically or socially influenced, buy which people define male and female
the study of the relative power and limits of genetic and environmental influences on behavior
every nongenetic influence, from prenatal nutrition to the people and things around us
twins who develop from a single fertilized egg that splits in two, creating two genetically identical organisms
twins who develop from separate eggs. They are genetically no closer than brothers and sisters, but they share a fetal environment
a person's characteristic emotional reactivity and intensity
the proportion of variation among individuals that we can attribute to genes. The heritability of a trait may vary, depending on the range of populations and environments studied
the dependence of the effect of one factor (such as environment) on another factor (such as heredity)
the subfield of biology that studies the molecular structure and function of genes
the enduring behaviors, ideas, attitudes, and traditions shared by a large group of people and transmitted from one generation to the next
an understood rule for accepted and expected behavior. norms prescribe "proper" behavior
the buffer zone we like to maintain around our bodies
self-repluicating ideas, fashions, and innovations passed from person to person
the sex chromosome found in both men and women. Females have two of these; males have one; A ____ from each parent produces a female child
the sex chromosome found only in males. When paired with an X sex chromosome from the mother, it produces a male child
the most important of the male sex hormones. Both males and females have it, but the additional testosterone in males stimulates the growth of the male sex organs in the fetus and the development of the male sex characteristics during puberty
a set of expectations (norms) about a social position, defining how those in the position ought to behave
a set of expected behaviors for males and females
one's sense of being male or female
the acquisition of a traditional masculine or feminine role
the theory that we learn social behavior by observing and imitating and by being rewarded or punished

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