Heredity

This topic deals with heredity.  This topic is very controversial and what we know and understand about heredity changes rapidly. This is meant to give you an introduction to some of the view and issues about heredity and what effects human behaviour.  The topics you are expected to understand are:

1. Heredity and genetics - the human genome - the basic introduction

  • How are physical characteristics passed to offspring
  • Chromosomes genes, alleles and phenotypes
  • Karyotypes 

2. Genetic diseases

  • Non hereditary Genetic disorders
    • Turners,  Downs, Klienfelters
  • Possible Hereditary disorders and mental illnesses
    • Schizophrenia - genetic links
    • Autism - genetic links

3. Nature vs Nuture & Epigenetics

  • Early ideas - nature, genes and behaviour 
  • Nature Vs Nurture - What is the debate?
  • Twin and adoption studies that suppport nature
  • Epigenetics - Studies that support nurture
    • New ideas about heredity and environmental effect on genes