Epigenetics (3.14)

Question 1

Describe the role of methyl groups in epigenetics

Answer 1

Methyl alters the physical structure of DNA effecting which genes are expressed and which are turned off.

Question 2

Explain why methylation of a gene results in that gene being repressed

Answer 2

Methylation leads to the altercation of DNA structure leading to a decreased likelihood of transcription. Due to the decrease genes are silenced

Question 3

Describe the role of histone modification in epigenetics

Answer 3

Histone modification leads to the shortening or lengthening of histone protein tails that affects whether or not transcription can be carried out. This can cause genes to be silenced or expressed

Question 4

4) Explain how histone modification can result in a spectrum of gene expression

Question 5

Explain why genetically identical twins look less similar to each other as they age

Answer 5

As twins age they’ll be exposed to environments throughout life compared to when they were children which can affect the expression of genes in the twins causing subtle differences between the twins

Question 6

Explain how we know epigenetics can be passed from parent to offspring

Answer 6

If parents experience epigenentic changes it influences which of their genes are expressed and turned off. These changes in gene expression can be passed on