Epigenetics

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=What is Epigenetics?​= Epigentics is the study of a chemical reaction that switches parts of the genome on and off due to certain factors such as the environment or extreme conditions; this was first idealized by a psychologist named Erik Erikson who developed his theory which focused on psycho-social crisis. Biologist C.H. Waddington is credited with coining the word epigenetics in 1942. He defined it as "the branch of biology". It is said that the term goes back to 1896. These chemical reactions develope the body both internally and externally. Usually, the genome responds to the environment. Examples such as stress, diet, behavior, toxins, and other factors may regulate the genome.The video, //The Epigenome at a Glance//, is an introductory to epigenetics. It contains a glance into the world of epigenetics. =How it Works?= The epigenetic profile is the sum of the tags,signals,acumalated over the cell's life time. Epigenetic tags act like cellular memories. When an egg developes into a baby, it receives signals throughout the period of development. These signals cause changes in gene expression patterns. The tags deposit a record of the cell's experiances on DNA and stabilize the expression. Some signals are designed to turn off genes, whereas the purpose of other signals is to turn the genes on. Throughout the baby's lifetime in the womb, it's epigenetic profile continuously diversifies during cell replication. In cessation: many cells formulate an entire baby ready to be delivered. Each cell type formed has a unique identity and it's own special function. Proteins carry this epigenetic information from protein to protein and eventually to the DNA. Overtime,as cells divide, the epigenetic traits accumalate. So, they accumalate with age. As you get older the epigenetic events accumalate. The charts below explain the types of signals and how these signals are carried by proteins.

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= = = = =What is Helpful About the Technology?= Many illnesses, such as: cancers, cognitive dysfunction, respiratory problems, cardiovascular problems, reproductive problems, autoimmune, and heuro behavioral illnessess, have been found to contain epigenetic bases. The suspected culprits that cause these life altering illnesses include heavy metals, pesticides, diesal exhaust, tobacco smoke, polcylic aromatic hydrocarbons, hormones, radioactivity, virurses, and basic nutrients.The technology that is epigenetics benefits lives today because epigentic drugs do not kill the damaged cells. The idea behind these drugs is for them to alter the instructions of the damaged cells. Cancer cells, for example, begin their existance as normal cells and forfeit a portion of their instruictions as they divide; the object of these drugs is to remind the cells of the way they are meant to behave. =What is Controversial or Harmful About Epigenetics?= One of the most controversial things about epigenetics is about who discovered it. In recent light it has been said thatPaul Kammerer discovered epigenetics although he didn't know it. His experiments were conducted on female toads that he treated and did not treat. The conclusion of the experiments was that the treatred toads offspring were genetically modified. Scientist now believe, through reading his notes, that he studied inhritance through epigenetics. The harmful effects of epigenetics is that these epigenes can build up overtime and cause health problems. Also, theories linking epigenetics to mental illnesses are also controversial because some scientist believe that the science is fairly young. =To Learn More:= For Interactives that let you explore the field of Epigenetics got to the following links: GENE CONTROL LICK YOUR RATS For videos to learn more go to the following links: IDENTICAL TWINS: PINPOINTING ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ON THE EPIGENOME EPIGENETICS AND THE HUMAN BRAIN Epigenetics by PBS A Tale of Two Mice Epigenetics- How does it work?

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