Epigenetics and Environment

Insights from Identical Twins:

Because both of the twins come from the same zygote, then they will have the same genome. Nature and Nurture are part of the influence. Studying twins are a key and helpful way to understand nature and nurture.

1. Often the physical characteristics of genetically identical twins become increasingly different as they age, even at a molecular level. Explain why this is so.

The video was reflecting on the fact that the environment that the person in under the influence of is key to their epigenome. The video was talking about how identical twins are very similar at birth, but other time, they become more unique as an individual. It showed the process that with age and time, the twins epigenome became different from one another. Different factors can influence the twin's epigenome. The habits that the twin has will also differentiate the two individuals. Habits like smoking or exercising will affect the epigenome of the particular person.

Name 3-4 environmental factors that influence the epigenome.

One of the factors would be smoking or being around smokers. Second hand smoking an smoking can severe negative impact the epigenome. Daily exercise and working out is positive factor. The person will become more fit and healthier when they incorporate exercise into their daily routine. Another one that can have a positive and negative influence is food. The food that they consume is a huge factor. We obviously need food to survive, but the food choices are important. Whether you choose to eat healthy (vegetables, fruits, whole grains, organic, etc.) or "junky" (sugars, fatty foods, McDonalds, fast foods joints) is your decision. Probably the most important is the household that you are grew/growing in. Parents actions have a big influence on who you are. Whether your parents are carefree and fun or uptight and strict, it will affect your personality and epigenome. House and school stress can also impact your epigenome.

What is an imprinting gene?

"Imprinted genes are genes whose expression is determined by the parent that contributed them."

Discuss factors in your daily life that could be affecting your epigenome.

One of the most influential factors is school related stress. There always seems like there are endless amounts of homework, tests, quizzes, and projects to keep me stressed. There is always something school-related that I can be working on. My parents are very healthy eaters, so my diet consists of fruits, vegetables, organic foods, and other healthy items. My parents always open me to try new foods and different styles of food. We hardly eat junk food. I have somehow found a way to incorporate daily exercise. I sometimes take 20 to 30 minutes to run 2-3 miles when my parents are training for their marathon. I have soccer practices for 2 hours, two times a week, and a game every weekend.

Lick your Rats:

1. Explain how a high-nurturing mother rat shapes her pup's epigenome, and what that

pup's response to stress will be.

In the hippocampus of the brain, one of its jobs is to relieve stress. Depending how much the pup was nurtured will affect how much of the GR protein is produced; the more the better. During the fight or flight The brain produces the hormone cortisol which is put into the blood stream. When connected/bind to the GR protein, which will cause the cell to send out calming signals. The more nurture the rat has from its mother, the quicker the pup will recover from the stress.

2. In rats, does licking by the mother activate, or deactivate her pup's GR gene?

The mother's licking will activate the pup's GR gene.

3. Explain how cortisol and the GR protein work together in the brain to relax a rat pup.

You may draw a diagram.

Depending how much the pup was nurtured will affect how much of the GR protein is produced; the more the better. The more of the GP protein is created, the quicker the pup will be able to release stress. During the fight or flight The brain produces the hormone cortisol which is put into the blood stream. When connected/bind to the GR protein, which will cause the cell to send out calming signals. The more nurture the rat has from its mother, the quicker the pup will recover from the stress.

4. The rat nurturing example shows us how parental behavior can shape the behavior of

their offspring on a biochemical level. Relate this to humans and think about the personal

and social implications. Record your thoughts.

The love that is shown to a child can be the grooming of the rat. The more love, affection, and praise, the child grows up on will make them have a more friendly personality. The amount of affection showed can also affect the person's personality.

UTRITION & THE EPIGENOME

1. Explain how the food we eat affects gene expression.

"Familiar nutrients like folic acid, B vitamins and SAM-e (S-Adenosyl methionine, a popular over-the-counter supplement) are key components of this methyl-making pathway. Diets high in these methyl-donating nutrients can rapidly alter gene expression, especially during early development when the epigenome is first being established."

2. Can the diets of parents affect their offspring's epigenome?

Yes. When a mother consumes food, she is "feeding two." The food that the mother eats when you are in the womb is extremely important. What your mother eats during pregnancy will affect you throughout your entire. The father of the child has a part of the epigenome. How much the grandfather ate between the ages of nine and twelve can affect the lifespan on his grandchildren. "Shortage of food for the grandfather was associated with extended lifespan of his grandchildren. Food abundance, on the other hand, was associated with a greatly shortened lifespan of the grandchildren." I read this article that was talking about the link from the mother to the child. The foods that the mother eats are more likely to attract the child in the later life, with the tastes/flavors and smells. The article was also talking about the influence of alcohol. Mothers, consuming alcohol, can have children may be more attracted to alcohol because the developing fetus 'expects' that whatever comes from the mother must be safe." The more healthier the mother eats, the more attracted the child is to healthier.

EPIGENETICS & THE HUMAN BRAIN

1. How does Dietary methyl influence gene expression?

Basically, The Dietary Methyl influence gene is expression when you have a certain amount of methyl that your body will retain from the nutrients in your food. This food needs to be able to make you healthy. You have a significantly higher chance of becoming obese if you have a methyl-deficient diet.

2. Why do Toxins affect gene methylation?

The toxins affect the gene methylation by ruining your health. Different chemicals can have different affects. Take the chemical BPA for instance. BPA can cause endocrine problems like obesity, stunted growth, and birth defects.