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The questions were asked about this website: http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/epigenetics/
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")
If the genome is the basis for what shapes a person, then the environment is responsible for changes in a person as s/he ages. Epigenetics, if one was to generalize, is the study of how these changes actually work on a physical or chemical level.
2. Name 3-4 environmental factors that influence the epigenome.
Exposure to specific chemicals (in most research pertaining specifically to epigenetics, these chemicals are artificial, but not always), the release of chemicals within the body as triggered by the environment (the fight or flight response works as an example), and...
3. What is an imprinted gene?
An imprinted gene keeps its epigenetic tags after early development.
YOUR ENVIRONMENT, YOUR EPIGENOME
1. Discuss factors in your daily life (ie. Diet, exercise, stress etc.) that could be affecting
your epigenome.
Arbitrarily applying a very new and experimental science, whose workings are not yet well understood, to one's life would, in all probability, lead to academically useless, completely unscientific and invalid observations. For instance, there is no known link between arthritis and the genome, so is arthritis epigenetic? This website assumes that it is, but that statement is impossible to prove. If I were to break a bone and experience aching in that area for years on, is it epigenetic? I'd like to say no, but that statement also is too broad to prove.
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.
Methyl groups, which act as the epigenome, silence the GR receptor gene at birth. Nurturing from mothers causes brain impulses in the child to gradually remove these methyl groups, and allows the child to release more GR protein. The GR protein helps to reduce stress, so nurtured offspring will be calmer.
2. In rats, does licking by the mother activate, or deactivate her pup's GR gene?
Nurturing activates the 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.
Cortisol is a chemical released during the fight or flight response that can result in stress; the GR protein binds with this chemical to send calming signals, effectively counteracting the cortisol.
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.
The repercussions are pretty implicit: that nurture can have an impact in an organism. Although if questionable studies from an experimental science are necessary for parents to care about the wellbeing of their children, then they're probably not capable of being decent parents anyway.
NUTRITION & THE EPIGENOME
1. Explain how the food we eat affects gene expression.
To be laconic: nutrition is responsible for producing methyl groups, which are believed to be responsible for handling epigenetics.
2. Can the diets of parents affect their offspring's epigenome?
Yes, it's very well accepted in the traditional sciences that diet during pregnancy can influence the development of the fetus. Of course, the connection is a bit more complex than that, and it would be a very transparent lie to say we fully understand how it works. For instance, if a child is starved somewhat while still young, his grandchildren will end up living longer lives. It will take time before anyone can pretend to understand the science.
