epigenetics

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What is epigenetics?

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Epigenetics is the study of changes in gene expression that do not involve alterations to the underlying DNA sequence. These changes can be influenced by environmental factors and can affect how genes are turned on or off.

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What are carcinogens?

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Carcinogens are substances that can lead to cancer by causing changes in cellular DNA.

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How can lifestyle choices impact gene expression?

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Lifestyle choices such as diet, exercise, and exposure to toxins can influence epigenetic modifications, which in turn can affect gene expression and overall health.

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What is the role of the environment in epigenetics?

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The environment can influence epigenetic changes, affecting how genes are expressed without changing the DNA sequence itself.

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What is a phenotype?

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A phenotype is the observable physical or biochemical characteristics of an organism, determined by both genetic makeup and environmental influences.

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How do monozygotic twins demonstrate the influence of epigenetics?

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Monozygotic twins share the same genetic material but can exhibit different phenotypes due to epigenetic modifications influenced by their environments.

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What is DNA methylation?

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DNA methylation is an epigenetic mechanism that involves the addition of a methyl group to DNA, often leading to gene silencing.

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What is histone modification?

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Histone modification refers to the chemical changes to the proteins around which DNA is wrapped, affecting gene expression by altering chromatin structure.

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What is the significance of gene expression regulation?

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Regulating gene expression is crucial for normal development, cellular function, and response to environmental changes.

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What is the relationship between epigenetics and cancer?

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Epigenetic changes can lead to the activation of oncogenes or the silencing of tumor suppressor genes, contributing to cancer development.