epigenetics
Beyond the code
Epigenetics is the study of how gene expression changes without altering the underlying DNA sequence.
Environmental factors, behaviors, and experiences can switch genes on or off, and some of these changes pass to offspring.
The field explains why identical twins diverge over time, or how trauma might affect subsequent generations: Epigenetics shows that nurture can reshape nature.
Nuclear protein-wrapped genetic material
- histoneChromosome-packing protein
- nucleosomeHistone-DNA complex
- DNAHereditary code molecule
- DNMTDNA methylation enzyme
Attaching a methyl group
- acetylationAcetyl group attachment
- phosphorylationPhosphate group attachment process
- imprintingRapid early learning attachment
- writersText composition professionals
erasers · readers · CpG islands · bookmarking
Crossing age cohorts
- heritabilityGenetic share of variation
- imprintingRapid early learning attachment
- maternalOf or like mothers
- paternalOf or from father
germline · intergenerational · Lamarckian · reprogramming · inheritance patterns · erasure · resetting
Customary food consumption
- stressPressure, mental or vocal
- toxinsHarmful biological substances
- pollutionEnvironmental harm from waste
- smokingInhaling burning tobacco
alcohol · nutrition · exercise · lifestyle · exposure · heavy metals · pesticides · BPA
Written version of speech
- silencingStopping noise or dissent
- activationSetting into operation
- repressionUnconscious blocking of thoughts
- upregulationIncreased cellular expression
Uncontrolled cell proliferation disease
- tumorAbnormal tissue mass
- carcinogenesisMalignant transformation process
- oncogeneTumor-inducing genetic element
- tumor suppressorGene preventing uncontrolled growth
biomarkers · aging · neurodegeneration · metabolic disorders · autoimmune
chromatin
Nuclear protein-wrapped genetic material
- histoneChromosome-packing protein
- nucleosomeHistone-DNA complex
- DNAHereditary code molecule
methylation
Attaching a methyl group
- acetylationAcetyl group attachment
- phosphorylationPhosphate group attachment process
- imprintingRapid early learning attachment
writers · erasers · readers · CpG islands · bookmarking
transgenerational
Crossing age cohorts
- heritabilityGenetic share of variation
- imprintingRapid early learning attachment
- maternalOf or like mothers
paternal · germline · intergenerational · Lamarckian · reprogramming · inheritance patterns · erasure · resetting
diet
Customary food consumption
- stressPressure, mental or vocal
- toxinsHarmful biological substances
- pollutionEnvironmental harm from waste
smoking · alcohol · nutrition · exercise · lifestyle · exposure · heavy metals · pesticides · BPA · adversity
transcription
Written version of speech
- silencingStopping noise or dissent
- activationSetting into operation
- repressionUnconscious blocking of thoughts
upregulation · downregulation · allele · dosage compensation
cancer
Uncontrolled cell proliferation disease
- tumorAbnormal tissue mass
- carcinogenesisMalignant transformation process
- oncogeneTumor-inducing genetic element
tumor suppressor · biomarkers · aging · neurodegeneration · metabolic disorders · autoimmune
canalization
Directing into fixed courses
- biological ageBody's functional maturity level
- agingaging process, aging body, biological age, aging workforce, aging parents
- hereditygenes, DNA, chromosomes, inheritance, traits
- Human Developmentgrowth, heredity, aging, puberty, adolescence
- geneticsDNA, allele, genes, chromosomes, chromosome
- Pregnancy Factorsprenatal care, folic acid, folate, prenatal testing, placenta
- Epigeneticshistone, nucleosome, methylation, acetylation, chromatin
epigeneticsgenetic determinism
Heredity alone shapes traits
genetic mutation · point mutation · genetics · mutation · genomics