Cogsci 115 Midterm Section 8 – Development
UPDATED ACTUAL Exam Questions and
CORRECT Answers
Define epigenetics - CORRECT ANSWER Genetically based traits can be modified by
environment and experience, as genes can be turned on or off
what is MAOA (monoamine exidase A) and what behavior is associated with it? - CORRECT
ANSWER MAOA is associated with aggression, often called the "warrior gene"
What fraction of the population has the low activity form of MAOA, and what traits is this
characterized by? Why does it cause this? - CORRECT ANSWER only 1/3 have it, and it's
characterized by high levels of aggression. Low levels of MAOA lead to overstimulation of the
brain by monoamines, increasing aggression
What is the result when men with short form of MAOA are shown an angry face? - CORRECT
ANSWER There is a surge in their amygdala activity
Which rats had more glucocorticoid receptors?
a. chill rats
b. neurotic rats - CORRECT ANSWER a. chill rats have more receptors, more sensitive to
effects of glucocorticoids so don't need as much cortisol
Why did anxious rats give birth to anxious baby rats? - CORRECT ANSWER the babies
were not licked as much - not a genetic cause
Does prenatal environment affect stress levels? - CORRECT ANSWER yes, stressed rats
have babies that are stressed throughout life, higher amygdala activation, more likely to get
learning and memory impairment
, What are the immediate and long term effects of touch for infants? - CORRECT
ANSWER Immediate: gain weight faster and are healthier
Long-term: cope better with stress throughout life, avoid disease and learning disabilities
When embryos of anxious and non anxious rat moms are switched, how do the babies turn out?
What does this reveal? - CORRECT ANSWER The babies turn out like their adoptive
mother, shows that anxiety and neuroticism are not genetic and fixed
What role do methyl groups play in epigenetics? - CORRECT ANSWER methyl groups
provided needed instructions to DNA. They bind differently to different kinds of cells, which
differentiates skin cells from eyeball cells etc. They can also turn off a gene
What role do histones play in epigenetics? - CORRECT ANSWER Histones control how
tightly DNA is wound, which controls the degree to which DNA is expressed. More tight, less
expressed
What do the brains of suicide victims with a history of child abuse contain more of? -
CORRECT ANSWER They contain more methylation "off" switches in gene for
glucocorticoid receptors
As twins get older, their genes get
a. more different
b. less different - CORRECT ANSWER b. less different, esp if they live different
lifestyles
Define parental attunement - CORRECT ANSWER The child knows their emotions are
met with empathy. They are accepted, reciprocated, and validated
When is the result of a consistent lack of parental attunement to a specific range of emotions? -
CORRECT ANSWER The child may avoid expressing and even feeling these emotions
UPDATED ACTUAL Exam Questions and
CORRECT Answers
Define epigenetics - CORRECT ANSWER Genetically based traits can be modified by
environment and experience, as genes can be turned on or off
what is MAOA (monoamine exidase A) and what behavior is associated with it? - CORRECT
ANSWER MAOA is associated with aggression, often called the "warrior gene"
What fraction of the population has the low activity form of MAOA, and what traits is this
characterized by? Why does it cause this? - CORRECT ANSWER only 1/3 have it, and it's
characterized by high levels of aggression. Low levels of MAOA lead to overstimulation of the
brain by monoamines, increasing aggression
What is the result when men with short form of MAOA are shown an angry face? - CORRECT
ANSWER There is a surge in their amygdala activity
Which rats had more glucocorticoid receptors?
a. chill rats
b. neurotic rats - CORRECT ANSWER a. chill rats have more receptors, more sensitive to
effects of glucocorticoids so don't need as much cortisol
Why did anxious rats give birth to anxious baby rats? - CORRECT ANSWER the babies
were not licked as much - not a genetic cause
Does prenatal environment affect stress levels? - CORRECT ANSWER yes, stressed rats
have babies that are stressed throughout life, higher amygdala activation, more likely to get
learning and memory impairment
, What are the immediate and long term effects of touch for infants? - CORRECT
ANSWER Immediate: gain weight faster and are healthier
Long-term: cope better with stress throughout life, avoid disease and learning disabilities
When embryos of anxious and non anxious rat moms are switched, how do the babies turn out?
What does this reveal? - CORRECT ANSWER The babies turn out like their adoptive
mother, shows that anxiety and neuroticism are not genetic and fixed
What role do methyl groups play in epigenetics? - CORRECT ANSWER methyl groups
provided needed instructions to DNA. They bind differently to different kinds of cells, which
differentiates skin cells from eyeball cells etc. They can also turn off a gene
What role do histones play in epigenetics? - CORRECT ANSWER Histones control how
tightly DNA is wound, which controls the degree to which DNA is expressed. More tight, less
expressed
What do the brains of suicide victims with a history of child abuse contain more of? -
CORRECT ANSWER They contain more methylation "off" switches in gene for
glucocorticoid receptors
As twins get older, their genes get
a. more different
b. less different - CORRECT ANSWER b. less different, esp if they live different
lifestyles
Define parental attunement - CORRECT ANSWER The child knows their emotions are
met with empathy. They are accepted, reciprocated, and validated
When is the result of a consistent lack of parental attunement to a specific range of emotions? -
CORRECT ANSWER The child may avoid expressing and even feeling these emotions
