epigenetics

Question 1

What are epigenetics?

Answer 1

Epigenetics are genes that can be modified, (ex. turned on or turned off)

Question 2

What do methyl tags do?

Answer 2

Methyl tags turn off the agouti gene

Question 3

What are the affects on a mouse when the Agouti gene is turn on?

Answer 3

The mouse will have yellow hair, and increased obesity + tumor susceptibility

Question 4

What is the biological cause of autism?

Answer 4

The biological cause of Autism is the Hippocampus (learning development part of the brain) is smaller

Question 5

How many of the same genes do humans and chimpanzees share?

Answer 5

Humans share 98.9% of genes with a chimpanzee

Question 6

How many genes do we have?

Answer 6

We have 30 000 different genes

Question 7

What genetic defect causes Angelman syndrome and Prader-Willi Syndrome?

Answer 7

Angelman syndrome and Prader-Willi Syndrome are caused by a deletion of chromosome 15

Question 8

Can the environment affect different generations?

Answer 8

Yes The environment can affect generations for centuries even if they were never directly affected (Ex. Famines)