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samedi 28 avril 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.

Histone is a protein that DNA wraps itself round. This allows DNA to fit into all the cells. Without it, DNA would be very long and would not be able to fit anywhere. The DNA is also required not to wrap itself too tightly on to the histone otherwise the readability will be a challenge. There are modifications that relax the histone and make the readability easier.

One may wonder, how come all the different body cells contain the same DNA but the cells are completely different. This is because the genes in every part of the body like the skin, the brain and others the genes are expressed differently. This is why the cells in all the body parts are always going to appear different.

Epigenetics may actually be passed on to the next generation. This may happen if they are present in the sperm or egg cell or both. However, the epigenetics are erased when the sperm and egg combine to form a fertilized egg. This process is called reprogramming. It is where the cells of the fetus are given a chance to form their own epigenetics.

Some of the sperm and egg cells do not go through this reprogramming process. This means the fetus will reserve this epigenetic cells. Once the egg is fertilized, and reprogramming does not occur, the epigenetics are carried on to the next generation. This means the foods taken before conception play a big role in the future of your child. This is however not yet proved in human beings.

Scientists seem to have the idea that some epigenetics have the ability to control cancer. Some epigenetics may suppress the ability of a cell to control its growth. The cell overgrows and begins to hinder the normal functioning of the body and the others surrounding it. This is what comes 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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