The, Genetic And Epigenetic Mutations - 1064 Words

Cancer, one of the most common diseases in the world, is a result of genetic and epigenetic mutations. Where genetics was at first used to explain phenotypes and disease, genetics alone could not explain the sheer amount of phenotypic diversity in a population—nor could it explain phenomenon such as how, â€Å"monozygotic twins or cloned animals [could] have different phenotypes and different susceptibilities to a disease.† Thus entered the field of epigenetics. Epigenetics is, â€Å"the study of heritable changes in gene expression that occur independent of changes in the primary DNA sequence.† Therefore, epigenetics has its own, independent mechanisms to affect the genotypes and phenotypes of individuals. Although technically independent of one another, like genetics, epigenetics can be greatly influenced and altered by external factors such as ones environment. For example, one study looked at the importance of nutrition in early life and its effects on the epigenome. Using families involved in the Dutch Hunger Winter and the Great Leap Forward in China, the study found that children exposed to famine in utero had DNA methylation changes in genes associated with birth weight and low-density lipoprotein. When followed up, years later, with a study of nutritional deprivation in mice, data showed that epigenetic changes not only affected the babies in utero, but also affected the next generation of mice. A Brief History of Epigenetics In 1930, Hermann J. Muller did one of theShow MoreRelatedBackground Explanation Of Epigenetics By Conrad Waddington883 Words   |  4 PagesMorimoto, 2004). Background Explanation of Epigenetics Epigenetics What is epigenetics? Epigenetics is a term that was coined by Conrad Waddington that describes the heritable changes in the cellular phenotypes that are observed independently of alterations that occurs in the DNA sequence (Dawson Kouzarides, 2012). He proposed that there was a link between development and genetics, which is where the field of epigenetics came from. The word epigenetics itself was derived from a Greek word epigenesistRead MoreEvolution Of A Scientific Revolution978 Words   |  4 Pages This kind of paradigm shift has occurred numerous times in history and many speculate it will happen again as more scientists research epigenetics. This theory takes root in the idea that change in gene expression (not the gene itself) can be triggered by external forces (i.e. environment), and said change can be inherited. Although many argue that epigenetics will cause a scientific revolution as the antithesis to Darwinian evolution, people are not taking into account that it can be integratedRead MoreEpigenetics And Autistic Spectrum Disorder1078 Words   |  5 Pages Epigenetics and Autistic Spectrum Disorder Jowan Jones Old Dominion University â€Æ' Abstract This paper plans to focus on autism spectrum disorder and how epigenetics contributes to the development of the disease. ASD is comorbid with other neurodevelopmental diseases including Rett Syndrome, Fragile X, Prader-Willi, and Angelman. These diseases have frequent, identifiable symptoms such as coloboma of the eye, heart defects, atresia of the nasal choanae, retardation of growth and or developmentRead MoreGenetic Markers Don t Always Match Physical Appearance1638 Words   |  7 PagesGenetic markers don’t always match physical appearance. First of all, a genetic marker is a gene or short sequence of DNA. Since the beginning of time our genetics have been changing constantly due to a lot of different aspects. Some causes of change include aging. As we get older our bodies chemicals change, we produce more and less of certain chemicals, for example; insulin. The changing of chemicals affect our body not just on the outside, but on the inside. It affects the way our gen etic markersRead MoreRoman Cohen. Mr. Dunham. Career Ed. 25 January 2017. The1652 Words   |  7 PagesRoman Cohen Mr. Dunham Career Ed 25 January 2017 The Effect of Genetic Markers Genetic markers don’t always match physical appearance. First of all, a genetic marker is a gene or short sequence of DNA. Since the beginning of time our genetics have been changing constantly due to a lot of different aspects. Some causes of change include aging. As we get older our bodies chemicals change, we produce more and less of certain chemicals, for example; insulin. The changing of chemicals affect ourRead MoreGenetic And Epigenetic Influences On Autism Spectrum Disorders : A Role For The Methyl1619 Words   |  7 PagesGenetic and epigenetic influences in autism spectrum disorders: A role for the methyl CpG-binding protein in Rett syndrome. The genetics of neurodevelopmental disorders (NDD) rarely display a Mendelian mode of inheritance, and can result from a single rare gene mutation, more common variations in single nucleotide polymorphisms, or often a combination of these two factors in conjunction with environmental influences [1]. In contrast, epigenetic mechanisms are heritable changes in gene expressionRead MoreThe Realm Of Hungry Ghosts Essay1284 Words   |  6 Pagesown society. Until recent developments in scientific research, human genetics have long-been the culprit behind substance abuse. This cause has led to a popular belief in addiction predetermination: â€Å"The ordaining of events beforehand† (Merriam-Webster). In other words, the notion places an assumed fate of human behavior based on biological make-up. While genetics undoubtedly play a tremendous role in who we are, epigenetics play an even greater part in the science of human behavior. As the prefixRead MoreBiochemical Approaches On The Import Of Genetics Essay925 Words   |  4 PagesSociogenomics: Biochemical Approaches to Study the Import of Genetics in Social Behaviours Literature Review Sociogenomics is a relatively new research area that isn t very well understood. Scholarly articles (e.g., Roberts Jackson, 2008) describe it as a field that explores the following: the identification of genes that influence social behavior, the understanding of the influence of these genes on underlying neural and endocrine mechanisms, and understanding the effects of the environment,Read MoreBiology : A Biochemical Approach For Study How Genetics May Influence Social Outcomes Essay944 Words   |  4 PagesSociogenomics: A Biochemical Approach to Study how Genetics may Influence Social Outcomes Literature Review Sociogenomics is a relatively new research area that isn t very well understood. Scholarly articles (e.g., Roberts Jackson, 2008) describe it as a field that explores the following: the identification of genes that influence social behavior, the understanding of the influence of these genes on underlying neural and endocrine mechanisms, and understanding the effects of the environmentRead MoreThe Detection And Treatment Of Cancer1554 Words   |  7 PagesHow is a greater understanding of genetics fuelling a change in our diagnosis and treatment of cancer? It is estimated by Cancer Research UK that one in two people in the UK will get cancer at some point in their lives . This startling statistic shows an inept global failure to bring about control of one of most prevalent and fatal known diseases. But the growth in cancer incidence is not confined to the UK; in 2012 14.1 million new people were diagnosed worldwide, with forty percent of these new