Genetics Vs. The Environment: Chapter Analysis

Chapter 7 revolves around beginnings of human research into the idea of evolution and an introduction of Charles Darwin's theory of evolution. This chapter has given us, as students, more knowledge and insight into the topic of evolution. Since we were little kids, we always thought of evolution as the theory that establishes the link between humans and monkeys or that the phrase “Survival of the fittest” meant that the strongest always prevailed over the weak. However, this chapter has given us more detailed knowledge and background information about evolution, allowing us to lift these rumors and myths from our minds.

Before I describe my interpretation of “natural selection,” it is necessary to define “knowledge,” which, in terms of this essay, is an idea or technology developed to improve the lives, and has been shown to do so. I interpreted the scientific term “natural selection,” to better

It is often thought that our DNA is a concert blue print and the way we personally engage with the environment has no effect on our future generation. However through experiments and recent studies, scientists have discovered external environmental factors can effect ones DNA sequence. It was found that genes have the ability to switch on and off and affect how cells read genes. This new avenue is called Epigenetics. Epigenetics is the study of heritable changes in gene expression. It describes the outward phenotypic appearance that is not the result to changes in the DNA sequence but instead, changes to the chemical tags that overlay the genome. Epigenetics is often described as the missing link between the environment an individual is exposed

The purpose of Martin and Dawson’s presentation was to inform students about the evolutionary process and to share how evolution works through the process of natural selection. The presentation was also to inform students about how the view of the evolutionary process has changed.

Evolution by natural selection is one of the best substantiated theories in the history of science, supported by evidence from a wide variety of scientific disciplines, such as paleontology, geology, genetics and developmental biology. The theory of evolution by natural selection was first formulated in Darwin's book "On the Origin of Species" in 1859 (Peter J., 2009). Natural selection is a process in which organisms change over time because of changes in heritable physical or behavioral traits. These changes allow an organism to better adapt to its environment and help them survive and have more offspring. Since, an organism goes through the process of natural selection because of the changes in environment, environment directly or indirectly does

A third type of interplay is, gene –environment interactions. There are four key reasons to expect gene-environment interactions (also highlighted in the Rutter article). One is the idea of natural selection, that genetic variation in response to the environment provides the material needed for natural selection. Second is that when we are biologically developing during our early years we are adapting to our environments (the idea of ‘prunning’). A third point is the fact that there is huge variability in responses to environmental hazards, in both humans and

The theory of evolution by natural selection is developed by English naturalist Charles Darwin. Evolution is defined as, all living species are descendants of ancestral species and are different from modern-day organisms due to the process where there are physical and/or behavioural changes made over time———Natural selection occurs when these changes allow the organism to evolve and better adapt to its environment. This effecting the occurring populations of the species to adapt and change to different behaviour and physical traits. Darwin often describes it as “survival of the fittest”, “fitness’ referring to an organisms ability to survive and reproduce.——— Around 50-60 million years ago, there was thought to be around 350 different species

Behavior and personality traits are formed mostly by genetics (Wexler 3). As technology improves we start to have a better understanding of traits, environment and mostly genetics have a great impact on such. Genetic influences also bring out genetic-environmental correlations (Wexler 2). Growing up in a house full of others you tend to adapt to your surroundings to a certain point, however eventually that point can only take you so far until genetics have to then take over. Genetics influence development and expression of certain behaviors (Wexler 3). Some environmental triggers will have an adverse physiological effect because of predisposed genetics (Wexler 3). In the past traits and diseases were thought to come

Since the publishing of Charles Darwin’s Origin of Species, where the theory of evolution has arisen from, people have debated Creationism versus Evolution. Through supporting facts and statements the theory of evolution will be defended as being more than just a theory, and proven as fact. Evolution as a fact is reinforced through; scientific studies on DNA, genetics and its mutilation, the Fossil Record and the change in earlier species that has been found, and finally the distribution of related species of animals over a broad geographical range.

Our genes and environment influence one another, our genetic potential (both good and bad) can be stimulated by our environment. For example, diabetes runs in my mother’s family tree; which means my siblings and I run the genetic risk of developing diabetes in the future. Our individual environment will play key role in determining whether we develop diabetes (stress, nutrition, physical activity, etc.). This concept is known as gene environmental correlation and it is alarming to psychologists because of the impacts it can have to our behavior; mental and psychotic disorders such as depression and schizophrenia can be triggered by a stressful environment.

Charles Darwin’s concept of natural selection was concluded by many ideas, experiments, and observations. One of Darwin’s observations regarding natural selection includes the idea that

The argument of “Nature versus Nurture” is one that has been going on for many years. Are certain traits, such as how individuals thing and act, genetically inherited from parents or other relatives? Or are these traits actually learned behaviors the individual developed over the course of its life, crafted by experiences and treatment methods? Understanding the relationship between genetics and environment is important because if people know how to produce a desirable temperament in an individual, they can have a healthier, happier, more productive animal. Studies indicate that temperament, in the Merino breed of sheep at least, is linked to genetics more than environment, and the sheep industry will benefit from a large boom in production if sheep are bred to have a calm temperament.

This study is important, because when the “environment creates chemicals that work on the genetic code of our DNA” (Lecci, 2015, sec. 1.2). There has been studies that show that during prenatal, a child is vulnerable to the environmental effects that can create diseases for them later in their life. A method in which the genetic makeup has been altered is during “maternal smoking…DNA methylation changes” (Bauer, T., Trump, Ishaque, Thurmann, Gu, Bauer, M.,…Lehamann, 2016, para. 7). Genes can be altered not just by parents, but furthermore from past “environments of our ancestors” (Lecci, 2015, sec. 1.2). Epigenetics plays a role in personality, because if a child’s genes are altered, then they could be sickly or not able to connect with their parents based off their alterations to their genetic

The environment can heavily effect how a child’s brain develops intellectually. The environment has also been found to have a profound impact on disease and disorders in everyday human life. And while genes determine how we act, the environment is responsible for how these genes are used to benefit us throughout life. Therefore, I will argue that

In 1859, Charles Darwin in his book On the Origin of Species declared that human beings developed overtime from more simple forms. Evolution suggested that the human species originated from ape-like creatures and gradually changed in structure. Essentially, given the changing patterns of weather and environment, the species had to acquire new skills and adapt to survive. Those that could not change were eliminated in a process that is known as Natural Selection (Larson 47). The Evolution theory, since its inception, has prompted heated debate with supporters forwarding several arguments to support this conception. Alternatively, those against the theory have enthusiastically contested the credibility of the evolution theory. They in turn, proclaim that the theory lacks substance and it does not satisfy the experimental demands of science. It is important to understand the basis of arguments against evolution.