Principles of Behavioral Genetics

by Robert R.H. Anholt, Trudy F. C. Mackay

Overview

Principles of Behavioral Genetics provides an introduction to the fascinating science that aims to understand how our genes determine what makes us tick. It presents a comprehensive overview of the relationship between genes, brain, and behavior. Introductory chapters give clear explanations of basic processes of the nervous system and fundamental principles of genetics of complex traits without excessive statistical jargon. Individual chapters describe the genetics of social interactions, olfaction and taste, memory and learning, circadian behavior, locomotion, sleep, and addiction, as well as the evolution of behavior. Whereas the focus is on genetics, neurobiological and ecological aspects are also included to provide intellectual breadth. The book uses examples that span the gamut from classical model organisms to non-model systems and human biology, and include both laboratory and field studies. Samples of historical information accentuate the text to provide the reader with an appreciation of the history of the field. This book will be a valuable resource for future generations of scientists who focus on the field of behavioral genetics. - Defines the emerging science of behavioral genetics - Engagingly written by two leading experts in behavioral genetics - Clear explanations of basic quantitative genetic, neurogenetic and genomic applications to the study of behavior - Numerous examples ranging from model organisms to non-model systems and humans - Concise overviews and summaries for each chapter

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780080919898
Publisher:	Elsevier Science & Technology Books
Publication date:	09/21/2009
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	344
File size:	15 MB
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About the Author

Robert R.H. Anholt works in the W.M. Keck Center for Behavioral Biology at North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA

Table of Contents

PrefaceChapter 1: Introduction and Historical Perspective Overview The Rise of the Modern Field of Behavioral Genetics The Modern Evolutionary Synthesis The Rise of Molecular Genetics A Brief History of Neuroscience The Emergence of Behavioral Genetics Summary Study Questions Recommended ReadingChapter 2: Mechanisms of Neural Communication Overview Transmission of Information in the Nervous System The Resting Membrane Potential The Mechanism of the Action Potential Ion Channels, G-protein-coupled Receptors, and Signal Transduction Summary Study Questions Recommended ReadingChapter 3: Functional Organization of the Nervous System Overview The Organization of the Mammalian Nervous System Communication between the Brain and the Periphery Organization of the Nervous System in Insects Neurotransmitters Summary Study Questions Recommended ReadingChapter 4: Measuring Behavior: Sources of Genetic and Environmental Variation Overview Behavioral Assays Controlling Experimental Variation Sources of Variation in Behavior Effects of Mutations on Behavioral Phenotypes Environmental Variation Gene – Environment Correlation and Interaction Summary Study Questions Recommended ReadingChapter 5: Mapping Genotype to Phenotype in Populations Overview Genes in Populations: Random Mating Genes in Populations: Inbreeding Quantitative Genetic Model Summary Study Questions Recommended ReadingChapter 6: Partitioning Phenotypic Variance and Heritability Overview Components of Variance in Random Mating Populations Genotype–Environment Correlation and Interaction Partitioning Phenotypic Variance Heritability : The Concept Controlling and Estimating Environmental Components of Variation Summary Study Questions Recommended ReadingChapter 7: Estimating Heritability Overview Phenotypic Resemblance between Relatives Genetic Causes of Covariance between Relatives Environmental Causes of the Relationship between Relatives Heritability Estimates in Humans Heritability in Other Populations Estimates of Heritability for Behavioral Traits Summary Study Questions Recommended ReadingChapter 8: Quantitative Trait Locus Mapping Overview Linkage Mapping Interval Mapping Statistical Analysis Association Mapping Quantitative Trait Locus End Game Summary Study Questions Recommended ReadingChapter 9: Mutagenesis and Transgenesis Overview The Occurrence or Induction of Mutations Homologous Recombination Transposon -mediated Mutagenesis The GAL4-UAS Binary Expression System in Drosophila RNA Interference Summary Study Questions Recommended ReadingChapter 10: Genomics Approaches in Behavioral Genetics Overview Detecting Large-scale Gene Expression Parallel Sequencing and Transcriptional Analysis Plasticity of Transcriptional Profiles Analysis of Whole-genome Expression Microarray Defining Statistical Signifi cance Threshold Identifying Genetic Networks Summary Study Questions Recommended ReadingChapter 11: Neurogenetics of Activity and Sleep Overview Locomotion Genetics of Human Locomotion Disorders Circadian Rhythms Sleep Summary Study Questions Recommended ReadingChapter 12: Genetics of Social Interactions Overview Social Environment and the Genes–Brain–Behavior Paradigm Social Cooperation and Fitness Courtship and Mate Selection Affiliative Behavior Aggression and the Establishment of Social Hierarchies Division of Labor: The Genetics of Social Structure Aggregation Behavior Summary Study Questions Recommended ReadingChapter 13: Genetics of Olfaction and Taste Overview The Study of Olfaction The Discovery of Odorant Receptors Transgenic Approaches to Determine Odorant Receptor Response Profiles Transgenic Approaches to Map Projection P

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From the Publisher

Textbook covering the relationship between genes, brain and behavior.