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They can turn some genes off or on at some point. It is an external modification of DNA. Epigenetics, are traits that are above all the genes. It does not affect the sequence of the DNA, but it does how the DNA reads. It may live in the body of a person for as long as some cells are still alive. In others, it lasts in their life time from childhood to adulthood. It may also be passed over generations.
It alters the physical structure of the DNA. An example of such a change is DNA methylation added to a methyl group or what is otherwise referred to as a chemical cap. This actually suppresses certain genes from being expressed. So the sequence of the DNA will appear the same, but the physical appearance of the organism will appear different.
DNA wraps itself around a protein known as histone. This protein is what enables the comfortable accommodation of DNA inside a cell. Otherwise, the DNA will be too long to fit into one cell. If the histone is too tight on the DNA, the cell cannot recognize it. There are however modifications that relax histones so that the genetic material can be readable in cells.
The skin cells, muscle cells, and brain cells appear different in their structural formation and even functions. Yet somehow, they contain the same genetic material. These are because although they may contain the same genes, the way these genes are expressed is totally different. These are why our body parts appear to be different.
As earlier mentioned, epigenetics can be passed from one generation to the next for a long time. This is likely to happen when they are present in the sperm cell, the egg cell or in both. However, it may not happen because of the reprogramming process. This occurs when the sperm and the egg cell combine to form a whole new cell. All the epigenetics may be erased. The fetus can start afresh.
This is however not always the case. Some of this genetics are resistant to the reprogramming process. This means that that genetics is going to be passed on to the child once the egg is fertilized. This means like factors such as food ingested before the conception of the child, may actually affect the future of the child. It is however yet to be proven in human beings.
Epigenetics may actually have a role in the development of some cancers. Some of the genes kill the ability to control how big a cell grows. This means that the cell could overgrow at a very rapid rate. It may eventually stat to inhibit normal bodily functions in various body parts. It the end, it turns out to be a tumor.
There are also cells that suppress the growth of genes that could help repair damaged DNA. This cause the immune system to be weak. The person will be at the risk of contracting diseases. Cancer will also have a very easy opportunity to inhabit the body of the search of a person.
It alters the physical structure of the DNA. An example of such a change is DNA methylation added to a methyl group or what is otherwise referred to as a chemical cap. This actually suppresses certain genes from being expressed. So the sequence of the DNA will appear the same, but the physical appearance of the organism will appear different.
DNA wraps itself around a protein known as histone. This protein is what enables the comfortable accommodation of DNA inside a cell. Otherwise, the DNA will be too long to fit into one cell. If the histone is too tight on the DNA, the cell cannot recognize it. There are however modifications that relax histones so that the genetic material can be readable in cells.
The skin cells, muscle cells, and brain cells appear different in their structural formation and even functions. Yet somehow, they contain the same genetic material. These are because although they may contain the same genes, the way these genes are expressed is totally different. These are why our body parts appear to be different.
As earlier mentioned, epigenetics can be passed from one generation to the next for a long time. This is likely to happen when they are present in the sperm cell, the egg cell or in both. However, it may not happen because of the reprogramming process. This occurs when the sperm and the egg cell combine to form a whole new cell. All the epigenetics may be erased. The fetus can start afresh.
This is however not always the case. Some of this genetics are resistant to the reprogramming process. This means that that genetics is going to be passed on to the child once the egg is fertilized. This means like factors such as food ingested before the conception of the child, may actually affect the future of the child. It is however yet to be proven in human beings.
Epigenetics may actually have a role in the development of some cancers. Some of the genes kill the ability to control how big a cell grows. This means that the cell could overgrow at a very rapid rate. It may eventually stat to inhibit normal bodily functions in various body parts. It the end, it turns out to be a tumor.
There are also cells that suppress the growth of genes that could help repair damaged DNA. This cause the immune system to be weak. The person will be at the risk of contracting diseases. Cancer will also have a very easy opportunity to inhabit the body of the search of a person.
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