Homework #1 due 2/7

Bonus #1due 2/28

CB 17.4

Combinations of 3 nucleotides code for each 1 amino acid in a protein.

CB 5.25Genes contain the information to make RNA and/or proteins.

The information in genes is what to make and when to make it.

Protein

What makes us who we are?

Imprinting:exposure to movement sets “mother”

Human Chromosomes

X/Y chromosomes in humans:genes = traits

What makes us who we are?

Nature and Nurture

Twin studies have been used to determine the heritability of various traits, but there

are some caveats.

Correlation of weight (BMI) %

Biological siblings 34

Parents and children living together 26

Identical twins reared together 80

Fraternal twins reared together 43

Identical twins reared apart 72

Adopted children and parents 4

Unrelated children living together 1

*But food preference shows little genetic correlation

Correlation of weight and relatedness

IntelligenceCorrelation of IQ Inheritance : %

The same person tested twice 87

Identical twins reared together 86

Identical twins reared apart 76

Fraternal twins reared together 55

Biological siblings 47

Parents and children living together 40

Parents and children living apart 31

Adopted children living together 0

Unrelated people living apart 0

When the environment is equal (everyone has access to resources), genetic differences are magnified.

When environments are different (only a few have access to

resources), environmental differences are

magnified.

Proof or disproof?Correlation of IQ Inheritance : %

The same person tested twice 87

Identical twins reared together 86

Identical twins reared apart 76

Fraternal twins reared together 55

Biological siblings 47

Parents and children living together 40

Parents and children living apart 31

Adopted children living together 0

Unrelated people living apart 0

Can we see a genetic basis for complex behaviors?

VolesPrairie

• Monogamous

• Both parents care for young

Montane

• Nonmonogamous

• Mother cares for young briefly

Oxytocin and Vasopressin(hormones)

Water/salt balance

Contraction of womb and milk production

Encourages bonding between individuals

Hormones are molecules produced in one cell and signal another.

Oxytocin and Vasopressin(hormones)

Water/salt balance

Contraction of womb and milk production

Encourages bonding between individuals

VolesPrairie

• Monogamous

• Both parents care for young

Montane

• Nonmonogamous

• Mother cares for young briefly

VolesPrairie

• Monogamous

• Both parents care for young

Montane

• Nonmonogamous

• Mother cares for young briefly

Same levels of oxytocin and vasopressin

Hormones are molecules produced in one cell and signal another.

VolesPrairie

• Monogamous

• Both parents care for young

• More receptors

Montane

• Nonmonogamous

• Mother cares for young briefly

• Less receptorsSame levels of oxytocin and vasopressin

VolesPrairie

• Monogamous

• Both parents care for young

• More receptors

• ?

Montane

• Nonmonogamous

• Mother cares for young briefly

• Less receptors

• ?

Same levels of oxytocin and vasopressin

Inject hormone into brain

VolesPrairie

• Monogamous

• Both parents care for young

• More receptors

• Monogamous

Montane

• Nonmonogamous

• Mother cares for young briefly

• Less receptors

• Nonmonogamous

Same levels of oxytocin and vasopressin

Inject hormone into brain

VolesPrairie

• Monogamous• Both parents care

for young

• More oxytocin receptors

• ?

Montane• Nonmonogamous• Mother cares for

young briefly

• Less oxytocin receptors

• ?

Same levels of oxytocin and vasopressin

Block receptors

VolesPrairie

• Monogamous• Both parents care

for young

• More oxytocin receptors

• Nonmonogamous

Montane• Nonmonogamous• Mother cares for

young briefly

• Less oxytocin receptors

• Nonmonogamous

Same levels of oxytocin and vasopressin

Block receptors

VolesPrairie

• Monogamous• Both parents care

for young

• More oxytocin receptors

• Monogamous

Montane• Nonmonogamous• Mother cares for

young briefly

• Less oxytocin receptors

• Monogamous

Same levels of oxytocin and vasopressin

Increase levels of receptors (genetically) in ventral pallidum

Why might these voles use different reproductive strategies?

Prairie voles

• Monogamous

• Both parents care for young

Montane voles

• Nonmonogamous

• Mother cares for young briefly

Why might these voles use different reproductive strategies?

Prairie voles:

Resource poor habitat

• Monogamous

• Both parents care for young

Montane voles:

Resource rich habitat

• Nonmonogamous

• Mother cares for young briefly

Children of alcoholic parents are likely to become alcoholics…

Nature or Nurture?

Homework #1 due 2/7

Bonus #1due 2/28