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    Biology Online Epigenetics - Is It Only About The Dna? Name - Period - Go To

    Uploaded by

    Daniel De La Cruz
    The document discusses epigenetics and how environmental factors can influence gene expression and affect phenotypes independently of changes to the underlying DNA sequence. Some key points include: - The epigenome, consisting of chemical modifications to DNA and histones, helps control which genes are active and influences traits and disease risk. It can be altered by environmental cues like nutrition and stress. - In cancer cells, epigenetic changes disrupt normal gene expression control and promote tumor growth. Understanding epigenetics may help develop new cancer treatments. - Epigenetic marks can be inherited from parents and passed to offspring, along with environmental exposures like diet or trauma. This non-genetic inheritance influences evolution and disease risk across generations.

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    © All Rights Reserved
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    Biology Online Epigenetics - Is It Only About The Dna? Name - Period - Go To

    Uploaded by

    Daniel De La Cruz
    104 views3 pages
    The document discusses epigenetics and how environmental factors can influence gene expression and affect phenotypes independently of changes to the underlying DNA sequence. Some key points include: - The epigenome, consisting of chemical modifications to DNA and histones, helps control which genes are active and influences traits and disease risk. It can be altered by environmental cues like nutrition and stress. - In cancer cells, epigenetic changes disrupt normal gene expression control and promote tumor growth. Understanding epigenetics may help develop new cancer treatments. - Epigenetic marks can be inherited from parents and passed to offspring, along with environmental exposures like diet or trauma. This non-genetic inheritance influences evolution and disease risk across generations.

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    Epigenetics Webquest

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    The document discusses epigenetics and how environmental factors can influence gene expression and affect phenotypes independently of changes to the underlying DNA sequence. Some key points include: - The epigenome, consisting of chemical modifications to DNA and histones, helps control which genes are active and influences traits and disease risk. It can be altered by environmental cues like nutrition and stress. - In cancer cells, epigenetic changes disrupt normal gene expression control and promote tumor growth. Understanding epigenetics may help develop new cancer treatments. - Epigenetic marks can be inherited from parents and passed to offspring, along with environmental exposures like diet or trauma. This non-genetic inheritance influences evolution and disease risk across generations.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    104 views3 pages

    Biology Online Epigenetics - Is It Only About The Dna? Name - Period - Go To

    Uploaded by

    Daniel De La Cruz
    The document discusses epigenetics and how environmental factors can influence gene expression and affect phenotypes independently of changes to the underlying DNA sequence. Some key points include: - The epigenome, consisting of chemical modifications to DNA and histones, helps control which genes are active and influences traits and disease risk. It can be altered by environmental cues like nutrition and stress. - In cancer cells, epigenetic changes disrupt normal gene expression control and promote tumor growth. Understanding epigenetics may help develop new cancer treatments. - Epigenetic marks can be inherited from parents and passed to offspring, along with environmental exposures like diet or trauma. This non-genetic inheritance influences evolution and disease risk across generations.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    of 3

    BIOLOGY ONLINE EPIGENETICS – IS IT ONLY ABOUT THE DNA?

    Name ______________ 
    Period _______ 
     
    Go to: ​http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/epigenetics/​ ​ ​(link and videos are on webpage) 
    The following questions begin with the title of the section of the module you will be working with. 
    Answer the following questions as you work through the module. 
     
    THE EPIGENOME AT A GLANCE 
    1. What is the epigenome? 
     
     
    2. How is this different from your genome? 
     
     
    GENE CONTROL 

    1. Describe the following characteristics when a gene is ​active​:  


    o Is the gene tightly or loosely wound around histones? 
    o Are there many or few methyl molecules attached to the gene? 
    o Are there many or few acetyl molecules attached to the genes associated histones? 
    o Are there many or few mRNA transcripts?  
    2. Describe the following characteristics when a gene is ​inactive​:  
    o Is the gene tightly or loosely wound around histones? 
    o Are there many or few methyl molecules attached to the gene? 
    o Are there many or few acetyl molecules attached to the genes associated histones? 
    o Are there many or few mRNA transcripts?  

    3. How does epigenetics apply to cancer cells? 


     
    4. How could this information be used in cancer treatments? 
     
    THE EPIGENOME LEARNS FROM ITS EXPERIENCES 
    1. True or False. Cell signals play a role in shaping gene expression only during development. 
     
    2. What molecule is primarily responsible for carrying cell signals to DNA? 
     
    3. What are the two functions of gene regulatory proteins? 
     
    4. Are epigenetic tags passed to daughter cells? 
     
    EPIGENETICS & INHERITANCE 
    1. What can be passed on to offspring besides just the DNA code? 
     
    2. How does “reprogramming” work? 
     
    3. How does this apply to epigenetics? 
     
    4. Describe two examples of epigenetic inheritance. Include one human and one non-human example. 
     
    5. How can epigenetics affect evolution? 
     
    IDENTICAL TWINS: PINPOINTING ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ON THE EPIGENOME 
    1. Often, the physical characteristics of genetically identical twins become increasingly different as 
    they age, even at the molecular level. Explain why this is so. (use the terms "environment" and 
    "epigenome") 
     
     
    2. Name 3-4 environmental factors that influence the epigenome. 
     
    3. What is an imprinted gene?  
     
    4. With the environment affecting the epigenome so much, how do scientists study how the environment 
    and genes interact? 
     
     
    LICK YOUR RATS 

    1. Explain how a high-nurturing mother rat shapes her pup's epigenome, and what that pup's response to 
    stress will be.  

    2. In rats, does licking by the mother activate, or deactivate her pup's GR gene? 

    3. Explain how cortisol and the GR protein work together in the brain to relax a rat pup. You may draw a 
    diagram. 

    4. The rat nurturing example shows us how parental behavior can shape the behavior of their offspring 
    on a biochemical level. Relate this to humans and think about the personal and social implications. 
    Record your thoughts.  

     
     

    NUTRITION & THE EPIGENOME 

    1. Explain how the food we eat affects gene expression. 

    2. How can the diets of parents (include BOTH parents!) affect their offspring's epigenome? 
     
     

    EPIGENETICS & THE HUMAN BRAIN 

    1. Describe at least 2 connections between epigenetics and human behavior. 

    2. Are there any social implications we need to be aware of as we learn more and more about what 
    affects human behavior? If so, what kinds? 

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