Name:
Lecturer:
Course:
Date:
Nutritional
What is epigenetics?
Epigenetics is the scientific study of genetic changes in gene appearance, which is caused by the alteration of the underlying DNA sequence (Nova science, 2007). Sometimes, the environmental factors, diets and lifestyles can alter the gene expression through influencing the epigenome to switch within the cells thus modifying the genes.
What is the epigenome?
Epigenome is a complete DNA cell structure containing two components including the covalent and non-covalent components. It is where the programming of gene appearance profiles depends upon. The epigenome consists of chemical components that change the genome in a way that directs it on what, where and when to do something. The mark, which is not a component of the DNA, can be passed from one cell to another or from one generation to another.
What tags onto genes to turn them on or off?
In the field of epigenome, researchers study the chemical tags on the genome controlling the gene activities. The genes turning on and off are the changes that occur in the DNA structure in a sequential order leading to disruptions of protein productions. The genes may lock in a specific part of DNA resulting to alterations of its shape in a way that makes the adjacent DNA section to be more or less accessible to polymerase enzymes.
How does this relate to the risk for chronic disease?
When genes switch on and off, they may pose a serious risk for chronic diseases because they are controlled by proteins and once the proteins are disrupted, abnormal proteins may result thus contributing to diseases such as cancer and brain tumor. The genes, which the body tissues do not need, are turned off by epigenetic mechanisms and those genes that the tissues need for continuation of gene expression are turned on. This contributes to gene transformation in the tissues resulting to cancer diseases.
What might be the role of nutrition in epigenetics?
Nutrition in epigenetics plays a vital role in preventing diseases and maintaining body health. The nutrients extracted from food penetrate into the metabolic pathways whereby it becomes modified and molded into small particles that the body can use. One metabolic pathway plays the role of making methyl groups vital for epigenetic tags, which silence the genes (The University of Utah, 2011). Through epigenetic mechanisms, nutrients modify physiologic and pathologic processes, which are critical for gene expression. The nutrients interact with genes, people’s lifestyles or other nutrients. The scientific experiment carried out in mice indicated the way the diet of the mother is vital in shaping the epigenome of her offspring. It is believed that earlier nutrition prevents disease development later in life. Thus, nutrition is essential because it protects the body tissues from gene expression thus reducing the diseases.
How important is an individual’s epigenome compared to his or her genome?
Individuals will have ready access to their own genome because the epigenome varies from one individual to another. Epigenomics is important in an individual because every human genome contains around 25,000 genes, which encode all proteins, as well as other molecules that make up an individual (Nova science, 2007). The epigenome is vital to the vast nucleotides collection because it provides instructions on when proteins are supposed to be produced and which tissue production is supposed to take place in an individual. Epigenomics helps in explaining the mechanisms through which the environment affects individual’s phenotype. Most epigenetic alteration occurs within the course of one individual thus DNA methylation is an essential gene regulator for normal development and cellular differentiation of the organisms.
Would you recommend it for the class? Why or why not?
In summary, I have learned that nutrition, lifestyles and environmental factors play a vital role in gene expression. Balance nutrition is essential because it protects the body cells from diseases that may attack the body. I would recommend it for the class because it is fundamental in helping the students to understand DNA structure as well as develop essential knowledge vital for improving their health.
Works Cited
Nova science. Epigenetics: Expert questions and answers. 11 January 2007. Web. 12 October
2011 <http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/body/jirtle-epigenetics.html>
Nova science. Epigenetics. 24 July 2007. Web. 12 October 2011
<http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/body/epigenetics.html>
The University of Utah. Nutrition and the Epigenome. 2011. Web. 12 October 2011
<http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/epigenetics/nutrition>
Use the order calculator below and get started! Contact our live support team for any assistance or inquiry.
[order_calculator]