Worksheet #1 Best American Science Writing of 2010
You should save this document to your computer. Please type your answers to the
questions below. When you have completed the work sheet, save it, print it and bring it to
class. This work sheet is to be submitted in discussion section on Tuesday 2-1 or
Thursday 2-3 depending on which discussion section you attend.
The Orchid Children
1. Briefly explain the Genetic Vulnerability Model of behavior.
2. How does the Orchid Hypothesis differ from the Genetic Vulnerability Model?
3. What is the relationship between the DRD4 gene and Attention Deficit
Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)?
4. In the Bakermans-Kranenburg experiment kids with the risk allele (DRD4) were
compared with “normal” kids that carry the protective allele. How did these 2
groups compare when put into either positive or negative environments? Do these
results support or refute the Orchid Hypothesis?
5. Early humans migrated extensively across the planet and experienced great
reproductive success. According to the Orchid Hypothesis, did the presence of
risk alleles like DRD4 aid or hinder this success. Explain.
My Genome My Self
1. What is the goal of the Personal Genome Project?
2. What is the relationship between genome sequencing and personalized medicine?
3. Explain Geno’s Paradox in the context of genes that control human height.
4. How can Balancing Selection result in genetic diversity of psychological traits
within the human population.
5. What explanation do Penke, Denisson and Miller provide for the differences in
intelligence observed amongst human beings
6. Given that most human traits are controlled by multiple genes and that there is
great allelic variation within those genes, can knowledge of your personal DNA
sequence really tell you much about who you are? What advances are needed
before genome sequencing becomes useful to the individual?