Passage-1

Researchers studying genetic control of animal behavior face challenges, as most behaviors involve multiple genes, and identifying them was difficult until recently. Even when a single gene affects behavior, definitions of a “behavioral gene” vary across disciplines. Neuroscientists, focused on the nervous system, use a broad definition, while ethologists, concerned with evolution, adopt a narrower one. Ethologists require that a behavioral gene alters a specific, normal behavior without causing illness, thus contributing to evolutionary variation. For example, the fruit fly gene Shaker causes unhealthy shaking under anesthesia and is not considered a behavioral gene by ethologists. In contrast, the gene period (per), which controls circadian rhythms, qualifies as it alters a normal, healthy behavior. Such distinctions reflect differing research priorities—neuroscience focuses on mechanisms, while ethology emphasizes evolutionary relevance—highlighting the complexity in defining and studying behavioral genetics across disciplines.
Which of the following statements best reflect the most logical and rational inferences that can be made from the passage?
1. The study of the period (per) gene is likely to yield insights relevant to both the mechanistic understanding of the nervous system and the evolutionary adaptation of behavior.
2. Neuroscientists are less concerned with whether a behavior is "normal" or "healthy" as long as a clear genetic link to nervous system structure or function can be established.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Question

Passage-1

Researchers studying genetic control of animal behavior face challenges, as most behaviors involve multiple genes, and identifying them was difficult until recently. Even when a single gene affects behavior, definitions of a &ldquo;behavioral gene&rdquo; vary across disciplines. Neuroscientists, focused on the nervous system, use a broad definition, while ethologists, concerned with evolution, adopt a narrower one. Ethologists require that a behavioral gene alters a specific, normal behavior without causing illness, thus contributing to evolutionary variation. For example, the fruit fly gene Shaker causes unhealthy shaking under anesthesia and is not considered a behavioral gene by ethologists. In contrast, the gene period (per), which controls circadian rhythms, qualifies as it alters a normal, healthy behavior. Such distinctions reflect differing research priorities&mdash;neuroscience focuses on mechanisms, while ethology emphasizes evolutionary relevance&mdash;highlighting the complexity in defining and studying behavioral genetics across disciplines.
Which of the following statements best reflect the most logical and rational inferences that can be made from the passage?
1. The study of the period (per) gene is likely to yield insights relevant to both the mechanistic understanding of the nervous system and the evolutionary adaptation of behavior.
2. Neuroscientists are less concerned with whether a behavior is "normal" or "healthy" as long as a clear genetic link to nervous system structure or function can be established.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

ONLiNE UPSC · Accepted Answer

Statement 1 is correct: The per gene "controls circadian rhythms" (relevant to nervous system mechanisms &ndash; neuroscience) and "alters a normal, healthy behavior" (qualifying for ethologists concerned with evolution). Thus, it bridges the interests of both.

Statement 2 is correct: Neuroscientists use a "broad definition" focused on the "nervous system." Ethologists, by contrast, require alteration of "normal behavior without causing illness." This contrast implies neuroscientists' criteria are less restrictive regarding normalcy or health status if a gene impacts the nervous system and thus behavior.

Genetic Control of Animal Behavior

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Passage-1 Researchers studying genetic control of animal behavior face challenges, as most behaviors involve multiple genes, and identifying them was difficult until recently. Even when a single gene affects behavior, definitions of a “behavioral gene” vary across disciplines. Neuroscientists, focused on the nervous system, use a broad definition, while ethologists, concerned with evolution, adopt a narrower one. Ethologists require that a behavioral gene alters a specific, normal behavior without causing illness, thus contributing to evolutionary variation. For example, the fruit fly gene Shaker causes unhealthy shaking under anesthesia and is not considered a behavioral gene by ethologists. In contrast, the gene period (per), which controls circadian rhythms, qualifies as it alters a normal, healthy behavior. Such distinctions reflect differing research priorities—neuroscience focuses on mechanisms, while ethology emphasizes evolutionary relevance—highlighting the complexity in defining and studying behavioral genetics across disciplines. Which of the following statements best reflect the most logical and rational inferences that can be made from the passage? 1. The study of the period (per) gene is likely to yield insights relevant to both the mechanistic understanding of the nervous system and the evolutionary adaptation of behavior. 2. Neuroscientists are less concerned with whether a behavior is "normal" or "healthy" as long as a clear genetic link to nervous system structure or function can be established. Select the correct answer using the code given below: (a) 1 only (b) 2 only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2