Genes are the basic physical and functional unit of heredity, and make up DNA, acting as instructions for the production of proteins in the organism of every living thing. DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) is condensed and packaged around histones, which order it into units known as nucleosomes. The epigenome is made up of chemical compounds and proteins that can attach to DNA and switch certain genes on or off, controlling the functions and roles of different cells. Epigenetics, which involves genetic control by factors outside of the DNA sequence, can switch genes on or off and determine how proteins are copied and the roles they have in certain cells. Though DNA can be compared to the harddrive on a computer, epigenomes are more flexible and can determine how genes function,
…show more content…
These differences may affect the epigenomes in one twin, silencing specific genes and causing cell abnormality. Disparities in environmental conditions may make even genetically identical twins different.
Certain environmental factors can affect epigenetics, including DNA methylation. Inserting methyl groups changes the structure and appearance of DNA, modifying how DNA carries out certain tasks - affecting many processes necessary for life. In fact, some human diseases are caused by malfunctions in the proteins that transcribe epigenetic marks, and when less methyl groups are present in DNA, it can lead to cancer. Environmental chemicals, drugs, diet, and aging can affect epigenetics on a hormonal, chemical, cellular, or DNA level, changing the epigenomes, and in turn, affecting what genes are activated or deactivated within a cell. This can lead to a disruption in the homeostasis of a living organism, and affect their health by causing disease and malfunctions in cell interactions. Environment can also affect the development of organisms, so many species have plasticity, which is a genotype that enables them to adapt to
These differences may affect the epigenomes in one twin, silencing specific genes and causing cell abnormality. Disparities in environmental conditions may make even genetically identical twins different.
Certain environmental factors can affect epigenetics, including DNA methylation. Inserting methyl groups changes the structure and appearance of DNA, modifying how DNA carries out certain tasks - affecting many processes necessary for life. In fact, some human diseases are caused by malfunctions in the proteins that transcribe epigenetic marks, and when less methyl groups are present in DNA, it can lead to cancer. Environmental chemicals, drugs, diet, and aging can affect epigenetics on a hormonal, chemical, cellular, or DNA level, changing the epigenomes, and in turn, affecting what genes are activated or deactivated within a cell. This can lead to a disruption in the homeostasis of a living organism, and affect their health by causing disease and malfunctions in cell interactions. Environment can also affect the development of organisms, so many species have plasticity, which is a genotype that enables them to adapt to