Gene Expression

Question 1

Epigenetics

Answer 1

Heritable changes in gene function without changes to the base sequence of DNA

Question 2

Epigenetic markers

Answer 2

Chemical groups such as methyl group (-CH3) or acetyl group (-COCH3) that attach to DNA or histones. They alter how easy it is for transcription factors to bind to DNA

Question 3

methylation

Answer 3

-addition or removal of methyl groups.
attaches to CpG site (where C and G are next to each other -attaches to C and changes shape- RNA can no longer transcribe gene)
- gene is not expressed +the protein it does for not produced.

Question 4

Acetylation

Answer 4

-addition or removal of acetyl groups from histone proteins
-when histones are acetylated the chromatin is condensed
-the enzymes and transcription factors can access the DNA following genes to be transcribed
-the less acetylation of histones, the more condensed the DNA leading to transcription