Epigenome

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")

As time goes on the twins are exposed to different environmental experience which can affect the way their body grows. Examples include smoking, dieting/eating unhealthy, or even watching to much tv instead of exercising

2. Name 3-4 environmental factors that influence the epigenome.

Smoking

Exercise

Dieting/Eating unhealthy

3. What is an imprinted gene?

YOUR ENVIRONMENT, YOUR EPIGENOME

1. Discuss factors in your daily life (ie. Diet, exercise, stress etc.) that could be affecting

your epigenome

Factors like diet and exercise could make you more fit and maybe turn on or off different genes which changes your epigenome in ways like making you more fit or more active.

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.

A high-nuturing mother rat shapes the pups epigenome in the way they treat their pups. The fact that they are more nurturing causes the pups to be less stressful in life later on. This isn't always a good thing, because it could cause the pup to be less careful with what it does and be more open to dangerous places.

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

It activates the gene by blocking out methyl chemicals from the gene.

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

You may draw a diagram.

The combination of cortisol and the GR protein in the rats hippocampus cause the rats fight or flight reaction to be less stressful and easier to make descissions.

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 nurturing rat can relate to a nurturing mother in ways such as if a mother were to nurture her offspring at a young age they might grow up being more relaxed and nicer but if a mother were to abuse their child it could have a bad affect on them and when they get older they could become more abusive and maybe commit suicide.

NUTRITION & THE EPIGENOME

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

The food we eat affects gene expression by high methyl foods causing major alters in our gene expression as seen in the rats.

2. Can the diets of parents affect their offspring's epigenome?

Yes. They affect the genome of their offspring in ways such as producing enough, or the correct, amount of chemicals or nutrients needed to survive. If the parent is eating unhealthy they may have trouble with doing this and may hurt the development of the offspring.

Epigenome

EPIGENETICS & THE HUMAN BRAIN

1. How does Dietary methyl influence gene expression ?

More methyl means less rRNA production, which means fewer ribosomes, which means less protein production.

2. Why do Toxins affect gene methylation?

DNA methylation stabilize gene expression, which is important for long-term storage of information.