Define epigenetics, and provide examples illustrating yo...

Question

Define epigenetics, and provide examples illustrating your definition.

Accepted Answer

Hi, everyone. Let's take a look at this practice problem together. Which of the following is not an example of epigenetics. The answer options are A X chromosome inactivation. B genomic imprinting C gene sequencing and D DNA methylation. Now recall what the definition of epigenetics is and epigenetics is the genetic variations that do not change DNA sequences. So let's go ahead and look at those answer options. We're gonna start off with DNA methylation. Option D recall that this is when you have the addition of a methyl group onto DNA, this does not alter its sequence. So it is an example of epigenetics and we can eliminate option D. Then I'd like to talk about X chromosome inactivation and this is exactly what it sounds like. This is the inactivation of one X chromosome in females by the X I S T gene. Now, this creates an R N A molecule that coats an X chromosome and this is what silences it. Now, the purpose of this is to balance the amount of X chromosome gene products between males and females. It is also an epigenetic change. So we are going to eliminate option A, then we can talk about genomic imprinting, genomic imprinting is when one, a little of a gene is expressed. However, one of the alis is silenced by methylation, both allys are functional but only one ali is expressed. And the DNA methylation silences in a lil during the egg or the sperm formation. So we can eliminate option B as well because remember DNA methylation is an epigenetic example. That means the correct answer is option C gene sequencing is the process or the technique that determines the exact nucleotide sequence of genes. This is not an epigenetic example. So the correct answer is option C gene sequencing. All right, everyone. I hope you found this helpful and I'll see you soon for the next practice problem.

Define epigenetics, and provide examples illustrating your definition.

Key Concepts

Epigenetics

DNA Methylation

Histone Modification

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