epigenetics
“above” or “in addition to” (epi) genetics; the study of environmental influences on gene expression that occur without a DNA change. (Myers Psychology for AP 3e pp. 137, 668)
Epigenetics is the study of changes in gene expression, which are not caused by changes in the DNA sequence itself but rather modifications to the DNA molecule or to the proteins that package it. These changes can occur through various mechanisms, such as the addition or removal of chemical tags (e.g., methylation) to the DNA molecule or to the histone proteins that comprise the chromosome’s structural support.
Epigenetic changes can be influenced by a variety of environmental factors, including diet, stress, toxins, and physical activity. These external environmental factors can alter the pattern of gene expression in response to certain stimuli. Epigenetic changes can also be inherited from one generation to the next, although the extent to which inherited epigenetic marks influence gene expression and disease risk is not yet fully understood.
The study of epigenetics has significant implications for medicine, as it provides insight into how gene expression can be modulated by environmental factors and how certain diseases and conditions may be influenced by inherited epigenetic marks. Epigenetic therapies may eventually become an important tool in the treatment of genetic diseases.
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