Epigenetics and critical periods Flashcards
What process is the egr 1 gene involved in?
The development of critical periods
What does a gene do?
> Specifies the structure of a molecule
> Specifies when to make the molecule
How does experience or environment trigger the production of a particular gene?
By triggering biochemical changes in chromatin
What are the epigenetic modifications of chromatin?
> DNA methylation
Histone methylation
Histone acetylation
Histone phosphorylation
What is ZENK an acronym for?
> Zif-268
Egr 1
NGFI-A
Krox-24
What is Zenk?
An acronym for a series of genes. It is typically used in songbird research
How does the Zebra Finch learn songs?
Song is learned through social tutoring, during a critical period in juvenile life. This involves changes in brain-gene expression
How was egr 1 expression controlled by London and Clayton (2008)?
By inhibiting the formation of the precursor gene which phosphorylates to form egr 1 and c-fos
What did London and Clayton (2008) find?
That in Zebra Finches gene signalling is required during tutoring for tutor song memorisation. Egr 1 plays an important role
What evidence is there that stress has a neurogenomic factor in rats?
> Maternal licking reduces stress in offspring
> Maternal licking increases the frequency of glucocorticoid receptors in the brain
