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Epigenetics is an important part of our gene expression and life chances essay
Epigenetics is an important part of our gene expression and life chances essay
Epigenetics and why it can be helpful or harmful to people
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Epigenetics is the study of both heritable and non-heritable changes in gene translation, which do not stem from mutation. Epigenetic alterations to DNA may occur in several different ways; histone modification, DNA methylations, expression of microRNAs, and changes of the chromatin structure (Ntanasis-Stathopoulos et al). Depending on their presentation, they may be passed on to offspring. The exact mechanism of heritable epigenetic modification has not been discovered, but all of these alterations may have some impact on a wide range of disorders and have far reaching implications in the medical field. The study of epigenetics seeks to answer the age old question of whether nature or nurture is responsible for our phenotype, and it has arrived at the answer that in fact, both are. The discovery of epigenetic changes may lead us to cure many disorders, and even personality problems. As previously stated, there are several ways that these changes can occur, but the ones I will be focusing on are changes occurring to methyl and acetyl groups. The mechanism of heritability in animals is information coded into genes. Genes are wrapped around histones in the nucleus. When methyl groups attach to these histones, it winds the genes tighter, and since the shape is altered, it also alters the protein the gene codes for. Generally speaking, when you add a methyl group onto the histones, or "spool" of the gene, it makes it harder to code that gene’s proteins, just like if you got something stuck in the chain on your bike and tried to pedal it. The more methyl groups that build up, the worse the problem becomes. However, in most of the cases acetylation unwinds some of the histones, activating or reactivating a gene. Scientists are explo... ... middle of paper ... ...pigentic Mark On Your Genes. Discover Magazine, May 2013. Online Periodical. Available from: http://discovermagazine.com/2013/may/13-grandmas-experiences-leave-epigenetic-mark-on-your-genes#.Uwx4bijWq0t. Kim, J,K, M. Samaranayake, S. Pradhan. Epigenetic Mechanisms in Mammals. Cell Mol Life Sci, 2009 February; 66(4): 596–612. Published online 2008 November 3. PMCID: PMC2780668. Available from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18985277. Ntanasis-Stathopoulos, J, Tzanninis, JG, Philippou, A, Koutsilieris, M. Epigenetic Regulation on Gene Expression Induced by Physical Exercise. Musculoskeletal Neuronal Interaction, 2013 Jun. PMID: 23728100. Available from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23728100. Simmons, D. Epigenetic influence and disease. Nature Education, 2008. Available from: http://www.nature.com/scitable/topicpage/epigenetic-influences-and-disease-895.
Bullying is a serious issue that can occur to various people of different age and background. It is considered a serious problem because of the long lasting health problems that comes with it. The many effects of bullying such as, depression and alcoholism can cause changes in our genes which can possibly be passed on to the future generations. In Sharon Moalem’s essay “Changing Our Genes: How Trauma, Bullying, and Royal Jelly Alter Our Genetic Destiny” he discussed about the effects of bullying on the victims and how it causes gene changes. It is important to know how to prevent bullying as the effects can influence a person mentally and genetically which can be passed on to future generations later on.
-Reilly Philip. Is It In Your Genes. Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press. 2004: 223-228. Print
Identical twins have the same DNA and the same genes. They have many similarities such as resemblances in facial and body expression, their laugh, and much more. Despite these similarities, as these twins get older the differences that develop between their appearances can be remarkable. It is also very possible for one twin to get a deadly disease, such as cancer, while the other does not. The first question that may run through your mind is how? The answer is the epigenome. In contrast to the genome, which is the set of your entire DNA, the epigenome is what tells your genome what to do and when. In other words, if the genome is thought of as the hardware of the computer, with its physical parts being genes, the epigenome can be thought as the software of the computer, influencing how and when these physicals parts should be used. The epigenome also dictates the cell's behavior and function.
A disease that results from a change to an individual's DNA is classified as a genetic disorder. The change can be very small such as a single mutation in a particular gene or complex like the addition or removal of a complete chromosome. An instance of a genetic disorder that affects a particular gene is Marfan syndrome. Marfan syndrome is an inherited disorder which alters the connective tissue in the body (Frey R, Sims J, 2010). Individuals with this disorder are affected in multiple areas because connective tissue is present all through the body. It is common for affected individuals to show irregularities in their eyes, circulatory system, skin, lungs, and musculoskeletal system (Frey R, Lutwick L, 2009).
Mutation that results in an increase in the amount of genetic materials is extremely important in promoting evolutionary novelty. Mutation and competition in the original or new environment present powerful forces in the creation and survival of new, better genotypes in a haploid organism. In diploid organisms, recombination of these new genes already present, when subjected to selection by environment, also permits the evolution of new types.
Li, Y., Wicha, M. S., Schwartz, S. J., & Sun, D. (2011, February 4). Implications of Cancer Stem Cell Theory for Cancer Chemoprevention by Natural Dietary Compounds. Retrieved December 12, 2013, from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3248810/
convinced that a person’s genes play a role, as well as a variety of environmental factors.
Gene therapy focuses on the replacement of defective genes with modified functioning genes. Many diseases are caused by a defective gene meaning the body is incapable of producing essential proteins or enzymes. In its simplest form, gene therapy aims to identify the defective gene and fix this gene with the replacement of a normal gene (Senn).
Besides physical appearance, genes give rise to distinct chemistries in various realms of the body and brain. Such differences sometimes make someone liable or inclined to particular diseases, and some dramatically affect the way a person will respond to medical treatments.
The author goes into details about Jeff’s family history and his exposure to low cholesterol is linked to an increased risk for cardiovascular disease. Having a history of cardiovascular disease may temp one to change their lifestyle and eating habits leaning towards a low carbohydrate and more natural diet. It took a turn in Jeff's case when the so-called healthily eating habits were not working in his favor. Moalem stresses on how epigenetics comes into play, Jeff’s pre-exposure to cardiovascular disease was readily detectable but predicting HFI was a challenge. He highlights other situations where he argues that organism genes may be altered and can be expressed differently in environments. Claiming that based on epigenetics, physical activities, experiences, diets, and other lifestyles choices is crucial when it comes to gene expression. Talking about the queen been and worker bees, he emphasizes the fact that they have the same genes. Moalem argues that the genes of these two creatures are expressed differently because of what the queen bee ate. Queen bees are genetically superior since in their diet as a larva they are raised on royal jelly thus their phenotype as expressed differently. In making these claims, he supports the new Idea of epigenetics, which asserts that the genes of a person are not their destiny since they are subject to
The difference between the innocent and the guilty can hang on a single strand of DNA—a smudged fingerprint, a drop of blood, or even saliva left in chewing gum. A crime scene is fragile and it is difficult to find, collect, and interpret evidence. High profile cases and television shows such as Bones and CSI have played an instrumental role in raising public awareness to the importance of forensic science and its role in criminal investigations. From its first appearance in a United States courtroom in 1987, DNA analysis has made monumental strides in the conviction or acquittal of suspects, as well as exonerating prisoners wrongfully convicted of crimes. Truman Capote, author of In Cold Blood, reconstructs the murder of four members of the Clutter family in 1959 and the investigation that led to the capture, trial, and execution of the killers. Due to basic technology and a lack of tools at that time, the investigation Capote documents is limited and with such few clues, seemingly impossible to solve. The evolution of forensic science has been an immense influence in criminal investigations: with its sheer power to convict or exonerate, it has shaped and forever changed the justice system.
The diversity and the unity of life are equally meaningful and striking aspects of our Earth (Dobzhansky, 1973). Although an astounding 1.2 million species have already been identified, it is estimated that another 8.7 million are yet to be discovered and classified (Mora et al., 2011). By understanding what unifies us –our genes, our understanding of the organisms we share our planet with will continue to grow.
INTRODUCTION: My project question is: has human development disabled the power of genetic mutations and natural selection or enhanced it? My aim is to understand the importance of natural selection and the impact that human development has had on it. According to The Concise Oxford Dictionary(p 334), human development is defined as the process of enlarging people’s freedom and opportunities and overall well being through various resources. I will research the effect that the progression of humans, in terms of their development, has had on the abnormalities that have come to occur.
Exercising is essential for the health of our minds and bodies. Not only can it improve our current functioning, research in epigenetics has shown that the practice of exercise can physically alter the expression of DNA, which can be passed down through generations. The implication of this research allows us to see that the environments that we place ourselves in and interact with can drastically alter our lives, right down to the expression of our DNA. This means that exercise can be so beneficial, that is may cause certain negative genes to be inhibited from being expressed. While changes in the expression of our genes may be altered, our phenotype, the underlying genotype is unchanged. We can see that engaging in beneficial activities, such as exercise, allows us to become healthier
A mutation is a change in the DNA base sequence that is harmful or sometime beneficial to the organism. In general mutation occurs spontaneously and is considered as a rare but continuous event which takes place at a rate of 10-6 base pair. The presence of a mutagen increases the frequency of mutation to 10-3 to 10-6 base pair. Mutations are inherited and the mutated genes pass to the next generations.