Epigenetics

Question 1

What are the two changes above DNA level?

Answer 1

Protein modifications and addition of chemical groups to the DNA

Question 2

Describe protein modification

Answer 2

• DNA is wrapped histones to fit into the nucleus

- these histones(proteins) can be modified causing them to wrap the DNA more tightly around the histones

Question 3

Describe additional chemical groups

Answer 3

• essentially small chemical groups(methyl or acetyl) being added to the DNA at cg pairs.
• when the DNA has lots of methyl groups the genes are “turned off”
• when the methyl groups are removed they are able to be “turned on” again

Question 4

What is mitochondrial DNA?

Answer 4

Responsible for the production of important enzymes involved in cellular respiration. Passed only from mother to child. Contains 37 genes

Question 5

What is epigenetics?

Answer 5

The study of phenotype expression of genes. Depends on factors controlling transcription and translation, products of other genes and the environment.