Developmental Psychobiology and Plasticity (4.2 and 4.3)
1. Neurofibromatosis
i) Inherited in an autosomal dominant manner
ii) Benign Schwann Cells tumors
iii) Very painful and one bad gene
iv) Can cause serious problems
v) Discoloration of the skin
vi) Disease manifestations vary, even within a family
vii) Has variable expressivity. But why? (One gene expresses different even within a
family)
viii)Affects the vision and swallow
2) Polydactylism
a) Dominant over normal conditions
b) Conditions on your finger (express itself in different ways)
c) Extra toe or finger
i) Pretty common?: 1 in 1000 births
ii) In some cases, the trait is not expressed (turned off) or shows only on one hand
iii) Diet, development, other genes
iv) Profession football player: has 6 fingers on his right hand and helps him catch the
ball
v) If it is non-functional, you are able to remove it (money insurance)
3) Evolution of Behavior
a) Overview
i) Change in gene pool over generations in a population (gene pool changes overtime)
ii) No converse with science, all outside of science
iii) Change through mutations, recombination, and deletions
(1) New genes must be reproduced
(2) “Fitness” is reproductive success (reproduction)
(a) It does not MEAN how much weight you can lift
iv) Yes it is just a theory….
(1) SO is heliocentrism, gravity, special relativity, and quantum mechanics
(2) Science has no laws, no proofs, but theories (always subject to be refuted)
v) Science theories are tested over and over, are reproducible & refutable facts
vi) Evolution is the most tested theory in life sciences
b) Yes, No, Maybe, or Neither (Smithsonian Institute)
i) This theory states we evolved from monkeys.
(1) No.
ii) The theory states we have common ancestors with all animals.
(1) Yes.
1. Neurofibromatosis
i) Inherited in an autosomal dominant manner
ii) Benign Schwann Cells tumors
iii) Very painful and one bad gene
iv) Can cause serious problems
v) Discoloration of the skin
vi) Disease manifestations vary, even within a family
vii) Has variable expressivity. But why? (One gene expresses different even within a
family)
viii)Affects the vision and swallow
2) Polydactylism
a) Dominant over normal conditions
b) Conditions on your finger (express itself in different ways)
c) Extra toe or finger
i) Pretty common?: 1 in 1000 births
ii) In some cases, the trait is not expressed (turned off) or shows only on one hand
iii) Diet, development, other genes
iv) Profession football player: has 6 fingers on his right hand and helps him catch the
ball
v) If it is non-functional, you are able to remove it (money insurance)
3) Evolution of Behavior
a) Overview
i) Change in gene pool over generations in a population (gene pool changes overtime)
ii) No converse with science, all outside of science
iii) Change through mutations, recombination, and deletions
(1) New genes must be reproduced
(2) “Fitness” is reproductive success (reproduction)
(a) It does not MEAN how much weight you can lift
iv) Yes it is just a theory….
(1) SO is heliocentrism, gravity, special relativity, and quantum mechanics
(2) Science has no laws, no proofs, but theories (always subject to be refuted)
v) Science theories are tested over and over, are reproducible & refutable facts
vi) Evolution is the most tested theory in life sciences
b) Yes, No, Maybe, or Neither (Smithsonian Institute)
i) This theory states we evolved from monkeys.
(1) No.
ii) The theory states we have common ancestors with all animals.
(1) Yes.
