EPPP DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY EXAM
Gene-Environment Correlation - ANSWER Associations found between people's
genetic makeup and environmental circumstances they are exposed to
Niche-picking - ANSWER Tendency of people to seek out environments that are
compatible with genetic makeup (related to gene-environment correlation)
dominant vs. recessive genes - ANSWER When two inherited genes are alike
(dominant-dominant or recessive-recessive) offspring display inherited trait, but
when genes differ (dominant-recessive) the dominant gene determines trait
Gene-linked abnormalities - ANSWER Huntington's disease caused by a single
autosomal dominant gene and PKY is a recessive gene disorder that causes severe
mental retardation unless prevented by a diet low in phenylalanine
Chromosomal abnormalities - ANSWER Down syndrome due to an extra number 21
chromosome ... disorders due to abnormalities in sex chromosomes include
Klinefelter syndrome and Turner syndrome
Teratogens - ANSWER Substances and conditions that interfere with normal
prenatal development
Bronfenbrenner's Ecological Model - ANSWER Environmental influences on
development in terms of five systems: microsystem, mesosystem, ecosystem,
microsystem, and chronosystem
Canalization - ANSWER Some traits are canalized meaning they are highly
influenced by genotype and relatively resistant to environmental forces
Range of reaction - ANSWER Describes traits that exhibit a range of reaction such
that genotype sets boundaries on the range of possible phenotypes a person may
exhibit, while environmental factor determine where in that range the phenotype falls
Secular trends - ANSWER Generational differences in physical growth and
development (e.g., in industrialized countries the average age of menarche has
gradually declined due to several factors including better nutrition and health care)
Chromosomes - ANSWER Structures located in cell nucleus each containing
thousands of genes comprised of DNA...humans have 23 pairs of chromosomes in
each cell with one member of each pair inherited from father and the other from
mother.
Autosomes - ANSWER 22 of the 23 human chromosomes pairs are identical in size
and shape while the 23rd pair consists of the sex chromosomes
homozygous vs. heterozygous - ANSWER Homozygous - when both genes for a
particular trait are alike; Heterozygous - when two genes for a trait differ
, Sex-linked traits - ANSWER Some recessive traits are transmitted by genes on the X
or less commonly the Y chromosome. Males have greater chance of manifesting
these traits because they do not have a dominant gene on a second X (or Y)
chromosome to 'cancel out' the effects of the recessive gene. For females to
manifest one of these traits, they must have the recessive gene on both X
chromosomes
Polygenic inheritance - ANSWER Characteristics that are determined by multiple
gene pairs rather than a single gene pair
Down syndrome - ANSWER One of most common chromosomal abnormalities
usually due to extra number 21 chromosome...1/800 births
Trader-Willi syndrome - ANSWER Rare chromosomal abnormality that usually
involves a deletion on the paternal chromosome 15
Klinefelter syndrome - ANSWER Affects males and caused by extra X
chromosome...males develop normal male identity but have incomplete development
of secondary sex characteristics and are often infertile
Turner syndrome - ANSWER Affects females and occurs when all or part of X
chromosome is missing... females do not develop secondary sex characteristics, are
infertile, and have a short stature, stubby fingers, and webbed neck
Fragile X syndrome - ANSWER due to a weak site on X chromosome and occurs in
both sexes...characterized by a distinct combo of physical, intellectual, and
behavioral deficits including mod-sev mental retardation, etc.
Germinal period - ANSWER Extends from conception to implantation (8-10 days
following conception)...exposure to teratogen during this period may damage only a
few cells and have little or not effect on development --or alternatively may affect
many cells and cause organisms death
Embryonic period - ANSWER Extends from end of second week after conception to
end of eighth week...developing organs are most susceptible to major structural
defects as result of exposure to teratogen
Fetal period - ANSWER Extends from beginning of 9th week until birth...organ
systems are less affected by teratogens during this period, but exposure can cause
impaired organ functioning, delayed growth, and when it affects the brain, impaired
intellectual and emotional functioning
Common teratogens - ANSWER Alcohol, nicotine, cocaine, Rubella (German
measles), Herpes Simplex Virus, Cytomegalovirus, HIV, prenatal malnutrition,
maternal stress
Prematurity - ANSWER Infant born before 37 weeks after conception...risk factors
include lack of prenatal care, malnutrition, younger maternal age (<15 especially),
drug use, low SES, and multiple gestations
Gene-Environment Correlation - ANSWER Associations found between people's
genetic makeup and environmental circumstances they are exposed to
Niche-picking - ANSWER Tendency of people to seek out environments that are
compatible with genetic makeup (related to gene-environment correlation)
dominant vs. recessive genes - ANSWER When two inherited genes are alike
(dominant-dominant or recessive-recessive) offspring display inherited trait, but
when genes differ (dominant-recessive) the dominant gene determines trait
Gene-linked abnormalities - ANSWER Huntington's disease caused by a single
autosomal dominant gene and PKY is a recessive gene disorder that causes severe
mental retardation unless prevented by a diet low in phenylalanine
Chromosomal abnormalities - ANSWER Down syndrome due to an extra number 21
chromosome ... disorders due to abnormalities in sex chromosomes include
Klinefelter syndrome and Turner syndrome
Teratogens - ANSWER Substances and conditions that interfere with normal
prenatal development
Bronfenbrenner's Ecological Model - ANSWER Environmental influences on
development in terms of five systems: microsystem, mesosystem, ecosystem,
microsystem, and chronosystem
Canalization - ANSWER Some traits are canalized meaning they are highly
influenced by genotype and relatively resistant to environmental forces
Range of reaction - ANSWER Describes traits that exhibit a range of reaction such
that genotype sets boundaries on the range of possible phenotypes a person may
exhibit, while environmental factor determine where in that range the phenotype falls
Secular trends - ANSWER Generational differences in physical growth and
development (e.g., in industrialized countries the average age of menarche has
gradually declined due to several factors including better nutrition and health care)
Chromosomes - ANSWER Structures located in cell nucleus each containing
thousands of genes comprised of DNA...humans have 23 pairs of chromosomes in
each cell with one member of each pair inherited from father and the other from
mother.
Autosomes - ANSWER 22 of the 23 human chromosomes pairs are identical in size
and shape while the 23rd pair consists of the sex chromosomes
homozygous vs. heterozygous - ANSWER Homozygous - when both genes for a
particular trait are alike; Heterozygous - when two genes for a trait differ
, Sex-linked traits - ANSWER Some recessive traits are transmitted by genes on the X
or less commonly the Y chromosome. Males have greater chance of manifesting
these traits because they do not have a dominant gene on a second X (or Y)
chromosome to 'cancel out' the effects of the recessive gene. For females to
manifest one of these traits, they must have the recessive gene on both X
chromosomes
Polygenic inheritance - ANSWER Characteristics that are determined by multiple
gene pairs rather than a single gene pair
Down syndrome - ANSWER One of most common chromosomal abnormalities
usually due to extra number 21 chromosome...1/800 births
Trader-Willi syndrome - ANSWER Rare chromosomal abnormality that usually
involves a deletion on the paternal chromosome 15
Klinefelter syndrome - ANSWER Affects males and caused by extra X
chromosome...males develop normal male identity but have incomplete development
of secondary sex characteristics and are often infertile
Turner syndrome - ANSWER Affects females and occurs when all or part of X
chromosome is missing... females do not develop secondary sex characteristics, are
infertile, and have a short stature, stubby fingers, and webbed neck
Fragile X syndrome - ANSWER due to a weak site on X chromosome and occurs in
both sexes...characterized by a distinct combo of physical, intellectual, and
behavioral deficits including mod-sev mental retardation, etc.
Germinal period - ANSWER Extends from conception to implantation (8-10 days
following conception)...exposure to teratogen during this period may damage only a
few cells and have little or not effect on development --or alternatively may affect
many cells and cause organisms death
Embryonic period - ANSWER Extends from end of second week after conception to
end of eighth week...developing organs are most susceptible to major structural
defects as result of exposure to teratogen
Fetal period - ANSWER Extends from beginning of 9th week until birth...organ
systems are less affected by teratogens during this period, but exposure can cause
impaired organ functioning, delayed growth, and when it affects the brain, impaired
intellectual and emotional functioning
Common teratogens - ANSWER Alcohol, nicotine, cocaine, Rubella (German
measles), Herpes Simplex Virus, Cytomegalovirus, HIV, prenatal malnutrition,
maternal stress
Prematurity - ANSWER Infant born before 37 weeks after conception...risk factors
include lack of prenatal care, malnutrition, younger maternal age (<15 especially),
drug use, low SES, and multiple gestations
