Epigenome

IDENTICAL TWINS: PINPOINTING ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ON THE
EPIGENOME

1. Often, the physical characteristics of genetically identical twins become increasingly
different as they age, even at the molecular level.

1a. The appearance changes because of environmental factors that change the epigenome, although the genome stays the same. Diet for example is a factor that could change twin genomes. Exposure to toxins and stress are also contributors to the changes in the epigenomes.

2. Name 3-4 environmental factors that influence the epigenome.

2a. Diet, Exposure to toxins and stress.

3. What is an imprinted gene?

3a. A chromosome that has epigenetic tags that remained on after fertilization.

YOUR ENVIRONMENT, YOUR EPIGENOME

1. Discuss factors in your daily life (ie. Diet, exercise, stress etc.) that could be affecting
your epigenome. My excerise level isn't very high, so that is definitely affecting my epigenome. Diet and stress are also big factors, because

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.

1a. A high-nurturuing rat mother shapes her pup's epigenome by licking, grooming and nursing them. A high nurtured pup will become a calm adults, while low nurtured pups usually grow up to be anxious.

2. Explain how cortisol and the GR protein work together in the brain to relax a rat pup.
You may draw a diagram.

2a. The cortisol binds with the GR inside the hippocampus, and the bonds cause the hippocampus to send out signals that turn off the stress circuit, turning off adrenaline and cortisol production.

3. 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.

3a. With the ability to shape the behavior of offspring, I believe that child abuse and child neglect will become even higher offenses and the authorities will be on their toes for any people trying to hurt their children. People would also be more understanding of traits that aren't looked upon well by society. They would know that the reason they are acting a certain way is because of things parents did to affect the child's epigenome.

NUTRITION & THE EPIGENOME

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

1a. Food affects gene expression in the way of methyl. When the diet of a pregnant mother's diet is rich in methyl, the offspring that results is normal and has a healthy life throughout. Mom's without a methyl rich diet produce offspring that don't really look like them, and the offspring tends to be obese and more prone to diseases like diabetes.

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

2a. Yes. In the question above it is explained how methyl causes changes in embryos and postnatal offspring.

EPIGENETICS & THE HUMAN BRAIN

1. How does Dietary methyl influence gene expression ?

1a. Look at question 1 in NUTRITION AND THE EPIGENOME for the answer to this question.

DNA Fingerpainting

1. DNA is unique for everyone. The only exception is if a person has what? An identical twin.


2. What are DNA fingerprints used for? Determining a biological mother or father to identifying the suspect of a crime.


3. What “crime” was committed? The lollipop was stolen.


4. What bodily fluid was removed from the “crime scene” to get DNA? Saliva.


5. What does a restriction enzyme do? Cut the molecules of DNA to split them apart.


6. What is agarose gel? A thick porous jello like substance. Molecular strainer.


7. What is electrophoresis? The process of moving molecules in an electric current.


8. Smaller fragments of DNA move ____________ than longer strands? more easily


9. Why do you need to place a nylon membrane over the gel? So that you can pick up the small sheet of DNA.


10. Probes attach themselves to __________ DNA fragments on the nylon membrane.


11. Which chemical in your “virtual lab” is radioactive? Probz


12. Sketch your DNA fingerprint. It looks like a fat bar code.



13. Based on your DNA fingerprint, who licked the lollipop? Honey Sweet




Click on the Link “DNA Workshop” (if this link won't load, scroll down to the bottom where it says "try the non-java script version)
Once you’re there, go to the link “DNA Workshop Activity” and practice with DNA replication and protein synthesis.

Browse the DNA Workshop site.


14. What kinds of things could you do at the DNA workshop? You were able to replicate DNA and go through protein synthesis.


Title: Chemicisists create DNA Assembly Line
Author/Date: Science Daily/MAY2010

The article speaks about 3 different DNA machines determining the sequence of DNA. These scientists change the sequences of the machines and are able to prevent the cargo in them chain to be transported. These machines create DNA and replicate it as well.

MITOSIS VIRTUAL LAB


1. Which stage does the following occur
Chromatin condenses into chromosomes Interphase
Chromosomes align in center of cell. Metaphase
Longest part of the cell cycle. Prophase
Nuclear envelope breaks down. Prometaphase
Cell is cleaved into two new daughter cells. Cytokenisis
Daughter chromosomes arrive at the poles. Telophase

2. The colored chromosomes represent chromatids. There are two of each color because one is an exact duplicate of the other.

How many chromosomes are visible at the beginning of mitosis? 46

How many are in each daughter cell at the end of mitosis? 46

The little green T shaped things on the cell are: centrioles

What happens to the centrioles during mitosis? Protein spindles form and move to the other side of the cell.