gene

(noun)

A unit of heredity; a segment of DNA or RNA that is transmitted from one generation to the next and that carries genetic information such as the sequence of amino acids for a protein.

Related Terms

  • innate
  • chromosome
  • autosome
  • trait
  • genotype
  • fetal alcohol syndrome
  • heritability
  • locus

(noun)

A unit of heredity; a segment of DNA or RNA that is transmitted from one generation to the next and carries genetic information such as the sequence of amino acids for a protein.

Related Terms

  • innate
  • chromosome
  • autosome
  • trait
  • genotype
  • fetal alcohol syndrome
  • heritability
  • locus

(noun)

A unit of heredity; a segment of DNA or RNA transmitted from one generation to the next, carrying genetic information such as the sequence of amino acids for a protein.

Related Terms

  • innate
  • chromosome
  • autosome
  • trait
  • genotype
  • fetal alcohol syndrome
  • heritability
  • locus

Examples of gene in the following topics:

  • The Influence of Behavior on Genes

    • Behavior can influence genetic expression in humans and animals by activating or deactivating genes.
    • This has led to the discovery of specific genes, such as those that influence addictive behaviors.
    • Exposure to drugs and alcohol can also influence the genes of children and adults.
    • Temperature exposure can affect gene expression.
    • Exposure to cold temperatures activates pigment-producing genes in the rabbit's extremities.
  • Gene-Environment Correlations: Nature or Nurture?

    • Long-standing debates have taken place over the idea of which factor is more important, genes or environment.
    • Gene-environment correlations, known as rGE, can be explained in 3 particular ways—passive, evocative, or active.
    • Evocative gene-environment correlation happens when an individual's (heritable) behavior evokes an environmental response.
    • In active gene-environment correlation, the person's genetic makeup may lead them to select particular environments.
    • Adoption and twin studies can help make sense of the influence of genes and the environment.
  • The Influence of Genes on Behavior

    • The influence of genes on behavior has been well established in the scientific community.
    • While genes do not determine behavior, they play a huge role in what we do and why we do it.
    • Classical, or Mendelian, genetics examines how genes are passed from one generation to the next, as well as how the presence or absence of a gene can be determined via sexual reproduction.
    • Genes can be manipulated by selective breeding, which can have an enormous impact on behavior.
  • The Role of Genes in Prenatal Development

    • Prenatal development is highly influenced by the inheritance, expression, and regulation of genes.
    • Genes can either be dominant or recessive, meaning they can either be expressed or hidden.
    • Gene regulation is the process by which cells differentiate.
    • Among other things, it is the process in which a cell determines which genes it will express and when.
    • Some mutations of the genes can result in conditions such as Down Syndrome or Turner's Syndrome.
  • Nature vs. Nurture

    • Environmental inputs can affect the expression of genes, a relationship called gene-environment interaction.
    • Genes and the environment work together, communicating back and forth to create traits.
    • This chart illustrates three patterns one might see when studying the influence of genes and environment on individual traits.
    • This chart illustrates three patterns one might see when studying the influence of genes and environment on individual traits.
    • Evaluate the reciprocal impacts between genes and the environment and the nature vs. nurture debate
  • Chromosomes and Genes

    • Chromosomes also contain genes, most of which are made up of DNA and RNA.
    • Genes are subsections of DNA molecules linked together that create a particular characteristic.
    • Chromosomes are made up of a variety of gene sequences.
    • By studying chromosomes and genes, scientists are able to determine the genetic basis for many diseases.
  • Genetic Basis of Intelligence and Learning

    • Recent research shows that under normal circumstances, intelligence involves multiple genes; however certain single-gene genetic disorders can severely affect intelligence.
    • The occurrence of neurobehavioral disorders is influenced by both genetic and non-genetic factors, and the genes directly associated with these disorders are often unknown.
    • While experts believe the genetic cause for the syndrome is a lack of genes in the 21st chromosome, the gene(s) responsible for the cognitive symptoms have yet to be discovered.
  • Genetic and Environmental Impacts on Intelligence

    • A gene is the unit of heredity by which a biological trait is passed down through generations of human beings.
    • This is thought to occur through human interaction with external circumstances, whereby people with different genes seek out different environments.
    • As mentioned, under normal circumstances intelligence involves multiple genes.
    • However, certain single-gene genetic disorders can severely affect intelligence.
    • While experts believe the genetic cause for Down syndrome is a lack of genes in the 21st chromosome, the gene(s) responsible for the cognitive symptoms have yet to be discovered.
  • Genetics, the Brain, and Personality

    • The field of behavioral genetics focuses on the relationship between genes and behavior and has given psychologists a glimpse of the link between genetics and personality.
    • It's important to point out that traits are determined not by a single gene, but by a combination of many genes, and also by environmental factors that control whether certain genes are expressed.
    • Many personality studies today investigate the activation and expression of genes and how they relate to personality.
    • How DNA interacts with the environment determines what part of the DNA code is actually activated within an individual—in other words, which genes will be expressed.
    • The expression of inherited genes plays a role in determining personality.
  • Evolutionary Theory of Motivation

    • This results in social processes that maximize individuals' genetic fitness, or ability to pass their genes to the next generation.
    • Consider the following example: in a population's gene pool, a genotype exists for an infant that is unattached from its mother—it will crawl away and does not have any "love" or other significant attachment to its mother.
    • Over many generations, more "attached" infants will survive to mate and pass on their gene for attachment.
    • From an evolutionary point of view, behaviors are not made consciously: they are instinctual, and based on what is most advantageous in terms of passing one's genes on to the next generation.
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