Question

1.What is gene expression?
2.What is a methyl group and what does it do?
3.How does the environment effect the epigenome?
4.Can choices you make today potentially affect the health of your future children? Explain.

Answer 1

1. Gene expression is the translation of genetic code into functional gene products. This involves the process of transcription and translation of central dogma. The levels of gene expression (expressivity) and how often they are expressed (penetrance) is also influenced by many factors, especially environmental factors.

2. A methyl group is a carbon with 3 hydrogen atoms which is an alkyl derived from methane. A methyl group is significant in gene expression. When methyl group are attached to DNA molecules (in a process called DNA methylation),  the process promotes histone complexes hence silences genes.

3. The epigenome is the collection of biochemical compounds and processes that affect the DNA and gene expression without affecting the DNA sequence.  His environment affects the epigenome by indirectly affecting DNA methylation and histone modification. This subsequently affects how a gene is expressed.

4. Based on the aforementioned, it is significant to note that environmental influences on a person begin prenatally (before birth). Genome-wide changes occur immediately after fertilization, therefore life choices, like substance abuse during pregnancy, will affect the character and health of the child postnatally.