Deck 2: Biological Beginnings

Question 1

Which of the following is a double-helix-shaped molecule that contains genetic information?

A)genome
B)genotype
C)DNA
D)phenotype

Answer 1

DNA

Question 2

Natural selection operates primarily on characteristics that are tied to:

A)group social interaction.
B)psychological wellness.
C)reproductive fitness.
D)developmental plasticity.

Answer 2

reproductive fitness.

Question 3

Many species of fish produce very large numbers of offsprings; yet size of the overall population remains fairly constant.This is an example of:

A)progressive behavior.
B)natural selection.
C)canalized population traits.
D)assimilative behavior.

Answer 3

natural selection.

Question 4

Which of the following statements is NOT an idea held by evolutionary developmental psychologists?

A)Many aspects of childhood function as preparations for adulthood.
B)Some characteristics of childhood are adaptive at specific developmental points and do not function as preparation for adulthood.
C)All evolved mechanisms are adaptive in contemporary society.
D)Many evolved psychological mechanisms are domain-specific.

Question 5

_____ is a specialized form of cell division that occurs to form eggs and sperm.

A)Meiosis
B)Mitosis
C)Reproduction
D)Fertilization

Question 6

What did researchers working on the Human Genome project accomplish?

A)They estimated how many genes humans have.
B)They determined that DNA is collaborative.
C)They completed a preliminary map of the human genome.
D)all of these

Question 7

Natural selection favors individuals of a species that are best able to _____ and _____.

A)survive; reproduce
B)find food; hide
C)survive change; adapt
D)change; adapt

Question 8

In a human body, all cells except the sperm and egg reproduce by a process called:

A)meiosis.
B)mitosis.
C)fertilization.
D)helixation.

Question 9

Which of the following is the BEST explanation for an extended childhood period in human development?

A)During this time, a human's immune system reaches its full potential.
B)A long childhood period is a "left over" adaptation from the time when the human life span was considerably shorter than it is today.
C)Rebellion against authority is a necessary step in the evolutionary development of independent behavior.
D)During this time, humans develop a large brain and gain experience required to master the complexities of human society.

Question 10

The type of behavior that promotes an organism's survival in its natural habitat is called _____ behavior.

A)receptive
B)adaptive
C)progressive
D)recessive

Question 11

Which of the following statements describes the main idea of David Buss's theory of evolutionary psychology?

A)It is not useful to compare human social behavior with social behavior in other species.
B)Evolutionary processes can influence behavior as well as physical features.
C)Behavior is determined by the environmental consequences it brings about.
D)Development proceeds in a series of stages.

Question 12

Baltes holds that physical natural selection operates:

A)primarily during the first half of life.
B)across the life span.
C)through the end of the adolescent period.
D)through the end of late childhood.

Question 13

As the environment changes, some species adapt in a way that helps them survive and reproduce, while other species do not adapt well and die.This process is called:

A)canalization.
B)sociobiology.
C)natural selection.
D)genetic inheritance.

Question 14

Approximately how many genes does a typical human have?

A)more than 100,000
B)50,000-75,000
C)35,000-40,000
D)20,000-30,000

Question 15

Which of the following statements BEST explains the nature of genetic expression?

A)A single gene is the source of a single protein's genetic information.
B)Events outside of cell cannot excite or inhibit genetic expression.
C)Only internal events inside a cell can influence genetic expression.
D)The activity of genes is affected by the internal and external environment.

Question 16

Which of the following does NOT have 46 chromosomes?

A)zygotes
B)the sperm and egg
C)parent cells
D)duplicate cells

Question 17

According to Baltes, older adults have an increased need for:

A)generativity.
B)culture-based resources.
C)biological hardiness.
D)developmental plasticity.

Question 18

A bidirectional view of evolutionism suggests that:

A)social behavior is a product of evolved biology.
B)evolved biology is a product of social behavior.
C)environmental and biological conditions influence each other.
D)there is no such thing as social evolution.

Question 19

Evolutionary psychology holds that:

A)natural selection does not ring true for personality characteristics.
B)natural selection favors certain behaviors as well as physical characteristics.
C)biological evolution explains why humans live well beyond child-bearing years.
D)only physical development is stage-like in process.

Question 20

In his book The Dependent Gene, David Moore reports that DNA:

A)is collaborative.
B)acts independently.
C)has a one-to-one correspondence with proteins.
D)is not affected by environmental conditions.

Question 21

_____ syndrome causes males to have undeveloped testes, enlarged breasts, and tallness.Boys with this chromosomal disorder often have language, academic, attentional, and motor impairments.

A)Down
B)Klinefelter
C)Turner
D)Fragile X

Question 22

Conditions, such as phenylketonuria or sickle cell anemia, are produced by _____ abnormalities.

A)gamete
B)sex-linked
C)polygenic
D)gene-linked

Question 23

_____ are both genetic disorders that are both caused by the presence of an extra chromosome.

A)Down syndrome and Turner syndrome
B)Turner syndrome and sickle-cell anemia
C)Klinefelter syndrome and Down syndrome
D)Phenylketonuria (PKU) and XYY syndrome

Question 24

All of a person's genetic material makes up the _____, whereas the _____ consists of only observable characteristics.

A)phenotype; genotype
B)genotype; phenotype
C)dominant phenotype; recessive phenotype
D)dominant genotype; recessive genotype

Question 25

Mr.and Mrs.Higgins learned that they both carry the gene for phenylketonuria.To learn about the odds of a future child getting the disease and possible prevention, they should participate in:

A)genetic counseling.
B)selective gene removal.
C)preventive surgery.
D)hormone therapy.

Question 26

Which of the following genetic disorders occurs primarily in African Americans?

A)Down syndrome
B)Turner syndrome
C)sickle-cell anemia
D)phenylketonuria (PKU)

Question 27

In _____, the number of cells doubles, whereas in _____, the number of chromosomes is halved.

A)meiosis; mitosis
B)mitosis; meiosis
C)genotype; phenotype
D)phenotype; genotype

Question 28

Angela describes her friend as tall and slender with blue eyes and red hair.She is describing her friend's:

A)genotype.
B)phenotype.
C)reaction range.
D)gamete expression.

Question 29

Kevin has curly hair, but both of his parents have straight hair.What might account for their differing phenotypes?

A)polygenic inheritance
B)reaction range
C)sex-linked genes
D)dominant-recessive genes

Question 30

X-linked inheritance describes the inheritance of a(n):

A)unaltered gene that is carried on the Y chromosome.
B)altered gene that is carried on the Y chromosome.
C)unaltered gene that is carried on the X chromosome.
D)altered gene that is carried on the X chromosome.

Question 31

Which of the following principles is demonstrated when one gene overrides the effect of a second gene?

A)polygenic inheritance
B)facilitated gene action
C)dominant-recessive genes
D)forward-backward gene operation

Question 32

_____ is a genetic disorder which occurs less often with mothers who are 16 to 34 years old but more often with younger or older women.

A)Down syndrome
B)Turner syndrome
C)Sickle-cell anemia
D)Phenylketonuria (PKU)

Question 33

It is believed that many genes interact to influence a psychological characteristic.This is the concept of:

A)dominant-recessive inheritance.
B)sex-linked inheritance.
C)genetic imprinting.
D)polygenic inheritance.

Question 34

Which of the following characteristics is likely to be exhibited in boys with fragile X syndrome?

A)a flattened skull
B)aggression and violence
C)hyperactivity
D)mental deficiency

Question 35

You notice that Lou's eyes are a unique shade of green.You have observed his:

A)genotype.
B)phenotype.
C)dominant genetic trait.
D)gamete type.

Question 36

Most people who have hemophilia or fragile-X syndrome are:

A)children.
B)females.
C)males.
D)adults.

Question 37

How many chromosomes does an egg or a sperm have?

A)46
B)24
C)23
D)48

Question 38

Fertilization results in the formation of a(n):

A)ovum.
B)zygote.
C)gamete.
D)DNA helix.

Question 39

_____ is a genetic disorder that can be controlled by diet.

A)Down syndrome
B)Turner syndrome
C)sickle-cell anemia
D)phenylketonuria (PKU)

Question 40

Melinda and Joseph both have brown eyes.Their child has blue eyes, showing that:

A)both Melinda and Joseph are carrying a recessive gene for blue eyes.
B)either Melinda or Joseph is carrying a recessive gene for blue eyes.
C)both Melinda and Joseph are carrying a dominant gene for blue eyes.
D)either Melinda or Joseph is carrying a dominant gene for blue eyes.

Question 41

Behavior genetics is the field of study that seeks to discover how individual differences in human traits and development are influenced by:

A)environment.
B)heredity.
C)heredity and environment.
D)disease.

Question 42

Louis has accepted a scholarship opportunity to study art in Europe for a semester.His twin sister will continue her schooling at a local university.Their experiences are labeled as:

A)shared environmental.
B)nonshared environmental.
C)epigenetic environmental.
D)active heredity-environment.

Question 43

Allison began singing at an early age.She requested vocal lessons and now she participates in the school choral program.This is an example of which type of genotype-environment correlation?

A)passive
B)evocative
C)active
D)suggestive

Question 44

Brent is an athlete who loves to play catch or shoot baskets with his son Todd.Todd is quickly developing the same affinity for sports.This is an example of which type of genotype-environment correlation?

A)active
B)passive
C)evocative
D)niche-picking

Question 45

Which comparison of siblings would give you the MOST information if you wanted to study how much genetics influences personality?

A)comparing two fraternal twins reared apart
B)comparing two identical twins reared apart
C)comparing two fraternal twins reared together
D)comparing two identical twins reared together

Question 46

Elise has enrolled in a parenting program aimed at teaching parents to recognize and support a child's natural abilities and chosen activities.Which type of genotype-environment interaction will she learn to encourage?

A)passive
B)evocative
C)active
D)suggestive

Question 47

An individual's genes may influence the type of environment he/she is exposed to.This is called a(n):

A)heredity-environment correlation.
B)environment canalization.
C)reaction range coefficient.
D)correlation coefficient.

Question 48

Katrina played basketball in high school and in college.She recently enrolled her son in a junior basketball league.This is an example of which type of genotype-environment correlation?

A)passive
B)evocative
C)active
D)suggestive

Question 49

The epigenetic view of development states that development is:

A)becoming less and less influenced by heredity and more impacted by enriched environmental experiences.
B)completely random with no reliability as to the influence of biology or environment.
C)50 percent nature and 50 percent nurture.
D)the result of an ongoing, bidirectional interchange between heredity and the environment.

Question 50

Researchers are comparing identical twins Carrie and Devon, who were reared apart.They are MOST likely studying the effect of:

A)cohort effects on personality.
B)heredity on development.
C)adoption on parenting styles.
D)environment on aptitude.

Question 51

Stephanie and Pamela love to reminisce about their childhood experiences.They laugh about their parents' personalities and different mishaps in their old neighborhood.Their experiences would be labeled:

A)shared environmental.
B)nonshared environmental.
C)shared heritable.
D)non-shared heritable.

Question 52

Dr.Santos designs studies to examine the influence of heredity and environment on individual differences in human traits and development.She investigates:

A)behavior genetics.
B)evolutionary genetics.
C)evolutionary psychology.
D)developmental genetics.

Question 53

Dani loves dinosaurs.She always chooses library books about dinosaurs and has even asked her parents to enroll her in a junior paleontology club.This is an example of which type of genotype-environment correlation?

A)passive
B)evocative
C)active
D)suggestive

Question 54

Maura is genetically predisposed to have above-average intelligence.Her cognitive abilities lead to additional educational opportunities and eventually success and wealth.This is an example of a(n):

A)environment canalization.
B)reaction range coefficient.
C)heredity-environment correlation.
D)correlation coefficient.

Question 55

Kylie is friendly and outgoing.Because of this, people treat her well and often seem drawn to her.This is an example of which type of genotype-environment correlation?

A)active
B)passive
C)evocative
D)niche-picking

Question 56

Which of the following is a genotype-environment interaction that plays a smaller role in development as children grow older?

A)passive
B)evocative
C)active
D)direct

Question 57

The relative contributions of heredity and environment are not additive.This means:

A)genetic loading cannot account for development alone-an environment is required.
B)some characteristics are solely due to heredity and others to environmental conditions.
C)certain characteristics are more linked to heredity and others to environmental conditions.
D)that the person we become is due to X percent nature and X percent nurture.

Question 58

More similarities are seen among twins than among siblings who are different ages because twins may have:

A)more shared environmental influences.
B)more non-shared environmental influences.
C)fewer nonshared environmental influences.
D)identical shared environmental and hereditary influences.

Question 59

Hannah is an "easy" child.She rarely cries and is cooperative and pleasant.As a result, she receives much attention and nurturing.This is an example of which type of genotype-environment correlation?

A)passive
B)evocative
C)active
D)suggestive

Question 60

What do MOST developmentalists today believe about the contributions of heredity and the environment to development?

A)Heredity plays the dominant role in development.
B)Environment plays the dominant role in development.
C)Heredity and environment interact to produce development.
D)Development follows its own path regardless of heredity or environment.

Question 61

What is approximately the earliest point that a fetus can survive outside the womb?

A)5 months
B)6 months
C)7 months
D)8 months

Question 62

When a blood test was performed on Cindy's fetus, the doctors found some of Cindy's red blood cells in the fetus's circulatory system.We know that this most likely:

A)is normal because the mother's red blood cells are shared with the fetus.
B)indicates a problem with the blastocyst, which should not contain red blood cells.
C)indicates a problem with the placenta, which should block the mother's red blood cells.
D)indicates a problem with the amnion, which should eliminate the mother's red blood cells.

Question 63

Which of the following prenatal diagnostic tests would involve removing a small sample of the placenta?

A)ultrasound sonography
B)amniocentesis
C)maternal blood sampling
D)chorionic villi sampling

Question 64

When baby Juanita was born, she had problems with her eyes, ears, and nose.MOST likely, Juanita's problems came from defects in the formation of the:

A)ectoderm.
B)endoderm.
C)mesoderm.
D)trophoblast.

Question 65

Which of the following is the prenatal development period that takes place during the first 2 weeks after conception, includes creation of a zygote, and ends with attachment of the zygote to the uterine wall?

A)germinal
B)embryonic
C)fetal
D)fertilization

Question 66

During which prenatal developmental period do the following changes-rapid weight gain, active movement of arms and legs, face, forehead, eyelids, nose, and chin become distinguishable-take place?

A)germinal
B)embryonic
C)fetal
D)monozygotic

Question 67

Which of the following is the correct order of an embryo's layering of cells (outermost, middle, and inner layers)?

A)mesoderm, endoderm, ectoderm
B)mesoderm, ectoderm, endoderm
C)endoderm, mesoderm, ectoderm
D)ectoderm, mesoderm, endoderm

Question 68

Which of the following would handle information processing at the cellular level?

A)teratogens
B)neurons
C)mitochondria
D)neural tubes

Question 69

Sidney is expecting her first child and recently began to feel kicking movements.Sidney is MOST likely in the _____ month of her pregnancy.

A)second
B)fourth
C)sixth
D)seventh

Question 70

The doctor tells Sharice and Jayden that their unborn baby is having problems because of a drastic change in temperature.The _____ has failed to perform its protective function.

A)uterus
B)amnion
C)placenta
D)trophoblast

Question 71

During which of the following stages of prenatal development is the basic structural design of the human brain developed?

A)first trimester
B)second trimester
C)third trimester
D)first and second trimesters

Question 72

Iyanla is concerned that the bacteria from her ear infection may pass to her baby.She does not need to worry because:

A)although the bacteria will pass to the fetus, supercharged white blood cells in the umbilical cord will successfully destroy the infection.
B)the bacteria will be destroyed by the amniotic fluid.
C)bacteria are large molecules and will be filtered out by the placenta and not reach the fetus.
D)the baby's sinuses are filled with amniotic fluid and are immune to sinus bacteria.

Question 73

During which prenatal development period does differentiation of cells take place?

A)embryonic
B)germinal
C)fetal
D)zygotic

Question 74

At approximately 6 to 24 weeks after conception, cells move outward from their point of origin to their appropriate locations and create the different levels, structures, and regions of the brain.This is known as _____.

A)anencephaly
B)neuronal viability
C)neurogenesis
D)neuronal migration

Question 75

The _____ connects a baby to the placenta.

A)amniotic sac
B)amnion
C)umbilical cord
D)uterine wall

Question 76

Which of the following involves the process of cells moving outward from their point of origin to their appropriate locations in the brain?

A)neuronal migration
B)neurogenesis
C)implantation
D)organogenesis

Question 77

Teri's doctor has recommended that she take folic acid regularly throughout her pregnancy.The doctor is most likely trying to prevent which of the following from occurring?

A)abnormal brain development
B)fetal neural tube defects
C)maternal postpartum depression
D)maternal diabetes

Question 78

When does the zygote implant in the lining of the mother's uterus?

A)immediately after conception
B)within 2 days after conception
C)about 10 to 14 days after conception
D)at the end of the embryonic period

Question 79

Baby Weston's digestive system did not fully develop and does not function properly.This problem likely arose from a defect in the formation of the:

A)ectoderm.
B)endoderm.
C)mesoderm.
D)trophoblast.

Question 80

During which prenatal developmental period do the following changes take place? Eyes appear, four chambers of the heart take shape, spinal cord begins to form, and the intestinal tract develops.

A)germinal
B)embryonic
C)fetal
D)zygotic