Saturday, January 13, 2018

The Definition And Examples Of Epigenetics

By Jason Wagner


This means being at the top of genetics. The turning on or off of certain genetics is known as epigenetics. This does not affect the DNA sequence, but it affects how it will be read. It can also be said to be the external modification of DNA and turns cells either on or off. It may live for the period a cell is still active, or it can last from childhood to adulthood. It can also be passed to the next generations at times.

It can at times alters DNA. For example, a DNA methylation may be added to a methyl cap and may cause alteration to the genetic appearance. It may lead to the suppression of some genes. This will deny some genes the opportunity to be expressed. The physical appearance of the person or animal may appear different, but the DNA structure appears to be the same.

DNA is very long. It would not be able to fit into a cell was It not for a protein known as histone. DNA does not squash the protein, however. It lays out itself comfortably. If the DNA is too tight, it will be impossible to read because of the DNA reading cells. The modifications make the histone relax, and the material is easier to read.

Various genes express themselves differently depending on how strong and their functionality at different intervals. This is why the skin cell, brain cells, and muscle cells appear to be very different yet they have the same genetic composition. The fact that these cells are different is the reason why our body parts are also different. They, however, work together in order to conduct bodily functions and to the purpose they are intended to undertake on that instant.

Epigenetics can be passed on to different generations, but this is not always the case. They may be in the egg cell, the sperm cell or in both. Once the egg and sperm fuse, they may undergo a process known as reprogramming. This is when all the previous genes are erased, and the fetus is formed. The fetus can then start from scratch forming its own epigenetics.

The reprogramming is not guaranteed to happen in all the cases. This means that the epigenetics may be transferred on to the fetus. The food that was ingested before conception may actually affect the future of the baby. It is therefore important to eat well. This theory is however yet to be proved to have worked in human beings.

Epigenetics may actually have a role in the development of some cancers. Some of the genes kill the ability to control how big a cell grows. This means that the cell could overgrow at a very rapid rate. It may eventually stat to inhibit normal bodily functions in various body parts. It the end, it turns out to be a tumor.

Some others are known to suppress the cells responsible for repairing the damaged DNA. When these are suppressed the immune system grows weak. This is one of the ways cancer is able to inhabit the body of the person.




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