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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. It involves mechanisms that regulate gene activity and expression.

Front

How do muscle cells and nerve cells have the same DNA but perform different functions?

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The proteins expressed in each cell are different, leading to distinct functions despite identical DNA.

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What is gene expression?

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Gene expression is the process by which information from a gene is used to synthesize a functional gene product, often proteins, which can be activated or deactivated by environmental factors.

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What role do environmental factors play in epigenetics?

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Environmental factors such as nutrition, exercise, and stress can influence the epigenome, affecting gene expression and potentially leading to changes in phenotype.

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How can diet affect gene expression in mice?

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A diet that donates methyl groups can inactivate certain genes, such as the agouti gene, leading to changes in traits like coat color.

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What happens when cells are exposed to DNA-damaging chemicals?

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Normal biochemical repair processes typically fix any damage caused by DNA-damaging chemicals.

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What is the agouti gene?

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The agouti gene is involved in determining coat color in mice and can be influenced by epigenetic factors such as diet.

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What is the significance of methylation in gene regulation?

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Methylation is an epigenetic mechanism that can silence gene expression, affecting how genes are turned on or off.

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What is apoptosis?

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Apoptosis is a form of programmed cell death that occurs in response to cellular stress or damage, helping to eliminate damaged cells.

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Can identical twins have different phenotypes?

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Yes, identical twins can have different phenotypes due to epigenetic differences influenced by environmental factors.