What are three factors that influence an organisms’ phenotype?
- Genes
- Environment
- Epigenetics
Outline the heritability factors of Genes, the Environment, and Epigenetics
Genes - Heritable
Environment - No Heritable
Epigenetics - Somatically heritable
Epigenetic factors alter the DNA structure in two key ways. Name these ways?
- DNA Methylation
- Histone Modification
What does DNA Methylation do to gene expression?
Causes genes to be silenced (turned off)
What does DNA De-Methylation do to gene expression?
Activates gene expression
Explain DNA De-Methylation briefly.
Removal of a methyl group - activates gene expression
How does DNA Methylation cause genes to be silenced?
Methyl groups attach to certain nucleotides –> alter the level of gene expression
Explain the process of Histone Modification.
Moderates how tightly DNA is wrapped around histone proteins.
Tighter = less transcription
Looser = more transcription
What is the function of epigenetic factors in general?
Alter transcription —-> increase/decrease production of proteins
What is proportionate heritability?
The diversity of phenotypes in a population
What occurs in transcription?
Copying DNA to RNA
