What is epigenetics? - Carlos Guerrero-Bosagna
TED-Ed・4 minutes read
Identical twins can have differences in traits due to epigenetic changes, impacting gene expression by adding chemical tags to DNA or proteins, affecting an organism's life and disease susceptibility. The epigenome, influenced by factors like diet and environment, plays a critical role in gene regulation, development, and aging, with changes being inheritable and reversible through lifestyle choices.
Insights
- Epigenetics, not just genetics, plays a pivotal role in determining an individual's traits and health outcomes by regulating gene expression through chemical modifications, showing that DNA is not the sole determinant of one's characteristics.
- The epigenome is highly responsive to external factors like diet and environment, suggesting that lifestyle choices can directly impact gene regulation and health outcomes, highlighting the significance of personal choices in influencing genetic expression and susceptibility to diseases.
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Recent questions
How do identical twins differ despite sharing DNA?
Due to epigenetics, which involves DNA interaction with smaller molecules, genes can be activated or deactivated, leading to differences in traits.
What influences gene regulation besides DNA?
The epigenome, impacted by factors like diet and environment, plays a crucial role in gene regulation, development, aging, and disease susceptibility.
Can epigenetic changes be inherited?
Yes, epigenetic changes are inheritable and reversible through lifestyle choices, impacting an organism's entire life and potentially leading to diseases.
What is the role of epigenetics in gene expression?
Epigenetic changes can impact gene expression by adding chemical tags to DNA or proteins, influencing whether genes are transcribed or remain silent.
How can lifestyle choices affect epigenetic changes?
Lifestyle choices can reverse epigenetic changes, influencing gene regulation, development, aging, and disease susceptibility in organisms.
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Summary
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Epigenetics: Twins' Differences Beyond DNA
- Identical twins, despite sharing the same DNA, can exhibit significant differences in traits due to epigenetics, which involves the interaction of DNA with smaller molecules within cells that can activate or deactivate genes.
- Epigenetic changes can impact gene expression by adding chemical tags to DNA or proteins, influencing whether genes are transcribed or remain silent, affecting an organism's entire life and potentially leading to diseases.
- The epigenome, influenced by factors like diet and environment, plays a crucial role in gene regulation, development, aging, and disease susceptibility, with epigenetic changes being inheritable and reversible through lifestyle choices.
