3.5 Epigenetics Flashcards
1
Q
Define epigenetics
A
Heritable change in phenotype that doesnt change the DNA sequence
2
Q
What does methylation of DNA do?
A
Gene repression by methylation in CpG islands
3
Q
What does acetylation of histones do?
A
Gene activity, open chromatin
4
Q
What is thrifty phenotype theory?
A
When environmental conditions are bad for the parent, that the environment is likely to be poor for the offspring also.
5
Q
What is meant by a histone code
A
Suggests that the transcription of genetic info encoded in DNA is in part regulated by chemical modification to histone proteins, in their unstructured ends.
6
Q
What chromatin modifying enzymes switch off the gene?
A
HDAC and HMT
7
Q
What chromatin modifying enzymes switch the gene on?
A
HAT, SWI and SNF
