Discuss the relationship of genetics and intelligence.
What will be an ideal response?
IQ is more similar in individuals who are more closely related, and separating family members early in life does not significantly affect the correlation. Studies have found genetic influence on several aspects of intelligence, including working memory, processing speed, and reaction time. Heritabilities are high when examining twins based on brain volume, gray matter, white matter, and general intelligence (g factor). Two genes that have been implicated are ASPM gene and the PACAP precursor gene. The ASPM gene is a major determinant of brain size; the PACAP gene plays a role in neurogenesis and neural signaling. For the most part, though, targeting genes is difficult, as each gene has a small influence on intelligence. One study found a genetic variant associated with the brain size; another study identified 24 genetic variations on 6 genes related to the structural integrity of major brain pathways, some of which were associated with intelligence. Individuals with multiple of these variants scored several points higher than others on intelligence tests; another study identified a gene linking cortical thickness to intelligence.
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Indicate whether the statement is true or false
Conducting research on childhood sexuality has not been easy in most Western countries because
a. there is little interest among researchers in studying this topic. b. what children say about their feelings of sexuality cannot always be believed. c. there is a deep-rooted reluctance to view children as sexual beings. d. children are unwilling to talk about sexuality.
DNA methylation has been shown to differ between subjects with Down syndrome and otherwise healthy controls by ______.
A. more than 5% B. less than 5% C. more than 10% D. less than 10%