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This overview explores the connection between genetics and behavior, discussing approaches to studying genetic components of behavior and providing examples from both animal and human studies. The lecture also covers behavioral mutants in Drosophila and human genetic disorders related to behavior.

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Announcements

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  1. Announcements Overview of ethics and recombinant DNA technology Reminder: pre-lab questions for lab 13 due at start of lab this week

  2. Outline of Lecture 33 I. First approach to determine whether a behavior has genetic components - examine differences in behavior between closely related organisms II. Second approach -selection of a preferred behavior from a genetically heterogeneous population; can trait be transferred by genetic crosses? III. A single gene can control a single behavior, but most behaviors are more complex IV. Genetics of behavior in Drosophila V. Genetics of human behavior

  3. Genetics and Behavior • One of the most interesting questions we can ask: Why do we behave the way we do? • Nature vs Nurture • Genetics vs Learned • Many behaviors are a combination of both • What is genetically determined? • It turns out that behavior is genetically dissectible, just as the lac operon regulation or leucine biochemical pathway is.

  4. I. Alcohol Preference in Inbred Mice Raised in same conditions. 3 weeks with choice of alcohol concentrations. == > C57BL & C3H/2 have preference for alcohol Genetic basis unknown.

  5. II. Selection of preferred behavior Example 1: Maze Learning in Rats Artificial Selection in Heterogeneous Population (need genetic variation!) 82 rats. In successive tests, some rats come to make fewer mistakes. Brighter rats (9 pairs) selected and bred. Same with slower.

  6. Response to Selection Bright rats are better than all dull rats. But, this “cleverness” is task-specific. The bright rats were inferior in water-escape tests, important to survival.

  7. Example 2: Geotaxis (gravity) in Drosophila

  8. Response to Selection (geotaxis) Polygenic trait probably (fluctuation). Tester cross (in text) allows the genes to be tested one chromosome at a time.

  9. III. Single gene can control single behavior Nest-Cleaning in Bees • Honeybee nests can get Bacillus infection (foulbrood disease). • Worker bees clean them with two “hygienic” behaviors: • Uncap cell • Remove bacteria

  10. Most behaviors are controlled by multiple genes How do bacteria find their food?

  11. E. coli Attracted by Chemical - How? Run = CounterClockwise rotation (as shown) Tumble = Clockwise rotation (other way)

  12. E. coli movement: Run & Tumble High chemical concentration causes longer runs as E. coli get closer

  13. Sensory Transduction during Bacterial Chemotaxis 4 Genes + Receptor Repellent binding -> Che A phosphorlyation -> dephosphorylation -> -> Che Y phosphorylation & binds to base -> clockwise rotation & tumble Attractant binding -> does opposite -> run

  14. IV. Some Behavioral Mutants of Drosophila

  15. Male behavior during courtship and mating

  16. Genetic cross that helped recover X-linked induced mutations

  17. V. Human Behavioral Mutations • Huntington Disease (autosomal dominant) • ** Monamine oxidase syndrome, (mental retardation & aggression), enzymes degrade neurotransmitters. • Typically hemizygous males (X-linked recessive) • Lesch-Nyhan syndrome (X-linked recessive) • Tay-Sachs Disease (autosomal recessive) • Phenylketonuria (autosomal recessive) • Down Syndrome (tri-21 or translocation) • ** Schizophrenia • 1/100 • Delusional behavior (- not depression -) • High concordance in monozygotic twins • Polygenic (3-6 genes) • One on human chromosome 22 • "A Beautiful Mind", 2002 Best Picture Academy Award • ** Alzheimer's Disease

  18. Alzheimer's Disease • Brain: hippocampal neurons degenerate, short-term memory decreases as does thinking, ability to care for oneself. • Brain deposits called neuritic plaques and cells have neurofibrillary tangles (best diagnosis on autopsy). • Over 25% of those over 85 yrs have it. • Most get the late-onset sporadic form, but some have early-onset inherited form.

  19. Alzheimer's Disease - cont. Genes • Chrom. 21, APP = amyloid precursor protein gene (-> a protease inhibitor in the membrane) • Incorrect processing -> ~40aa beta-amyloid. • May poison cholinergic neurons • The inherited mutation in some families, but also in many sporatic cases of Alzheimer's • Chrom. 19, apoE (apolipoprotein E) gene • Early onset, inherited; also sporatic • The mutation apoE4 product binds tightly to beta-amyloid • Chrom. 14 • Early onset, inherited • Treatment (none) • April 2002, mice, vaccination w/ beta-amyloid helps • Inhibitors of neurotransmitter acetylcholinesterase delay symptoms but don't cure.

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