Heredity & Environment

The Genetic Code Development that is dynamic, ongoing, interactional, and unique Just four chemicals are the basic building blocks of the genetic code Genetic Foundations Chromosomes store and transmit genetic information (23 pairs in each human cell) Rod shaped structures found in the center of the nucleus of every cell in the body. Each sperm and each ovum contains 23 chromosomes. The chromosomes contain the DNA and genes. The fertilized egg (zygote) and all the body cells that develop from it (except the sperm cells and the ova) contain 46 chromosomes. Genes segments of DNA located along the chromosomes The basic unit of genetic information They determine the nature and the function of the cell. The human genes (about 120,000) are referred to as the human genome. A genome is the full set of genes in each cell of an organism. DNA substance of which genes and chromosomes are made` Nucleotides are the building blocks of DNA They contain 4 nitrogen-carbon-hydrogen basis that bond to form specific pairs: adenine can only pair with thymine , cytosine can only pair with guanine The combination of base pairs cannot vary

The developing organisms sex is determined by whether an X-bearing or Ybearing sperm fertilizes the ovum

Genetic Inheritance Two forms of each gene (1 from each parent) occur at the same place on the autosomes. Similar genetic contribution from both parents results in a Monozygous child that displays the inherited gene. Dissimilar genetic contributions between parents results in a Heterozygous child that depends on certain relationships between the genes to determine its expression. Inheritance Patterns Dominant-Recessive (e.g., hair color) Codominance (e.g., sickle cell anemia) Genetic Imprinting (e.g., Fragile X syndrome) Genetic Mutations (e.g., childhood cancer) X-Linked Inheritance (e.g., color blindness) Polygenic Inheritance Environmental Foundations for Development The Family 3 Directions of Influence Direct Influences: Affect of a family member on another family member (e.g., parent child). Bidirectional Influences: each family member affects the other family members (e.g., parent child; child parent). Indirect Influences: A non-family members influence on a family member(s) by supporting or undermining family relationships (e.g., peer child). Socioeconomic Status SES is an index of a familys or individuals social position and economic well-being that is comprised of 3 components: 1) Years education 2) Prestige and skill of ones job 3) income Poverty Extended Social Structures in Environment Cultural Contexts and Public Policies

Distinguishing Genetic & Environmental Factors to Development Development is a process through which ones genotype (the set of genes one inherits) comes to be expressed as a phenotype (ones observable behaviors and characteristics). The Sex Cells Gametes (2 special cells each with only 23 chromosomes total) are the sperm in males and the ova in females. Gametes are formed when an original cell divides in half through the process of Meiosis. When sperm and ovum unite at conception, the single cell that results is called a zygote and is now composed of 46 chromosomes. Meiosis ensures that no two gametes will ever be alike (this accounts for why siblings are different from one another). Determining a Childs Sex Autosomes refer to the 22 matching chromosome pairs within a human cell. The 23rd pair is the Sex Chromosomes, females have XX, males an XY pair.