The Importance Of Gene Imprinting

This particular type of cell division results in the production of four daughter cells per parent cell with only half the number of chromosomes of the parent cell in each daughter cell. The process of meiosis can be separated into two cycles, the 1st division and the 2nd division. The first division consists of 4 phases. Prophase, Metaphase, Anaphase and Telophase. The Second division consists of prophase II, Metaphase II, Anaphase II and Telophase II. Interphase occurs at the beginning of each phase and Cytokinesis occurs at the end of each phase. Meiosis is used for the production of gametes, or sex cells, in sexually reproducing organisms. These daughter cells have only half the number of chromosomes of a normal body cell. This is important because when two gametes come together, the number of chromosomes in the zygote

Epigenetics is a field where advances are being made daily. Epigenetics is defined as “heritable changes in gene expression that occur without a change in DNA sequence,” as stated by Dr. Alan Wolffe. A way in which we can understand this definition is by taking the analogy of a card game. The cards, the DNA sequence, have been dealt and will not change, however we need to understand how to play the cards, the rules, which is epigenetics. The guidelines can vary and completely change the way the card game is played and who comes out on top. The rules that are studied and understood through this research paper are those of DNA methylation and chromatin. These changes can produce

According to The Editors of Encyclopædia Britannica, flowers, regardless of their diversity, all have a sole function; to reproduce (2017). There are two main organs that are involved in reproduction: the stamens and pistils. The stamen has spore cases (microsporangia) in which numerous microspores (potential pollen grains) can be developed. Fertilization can only occur through pollination; when the pollen grains from the anther is transferred to the stigma of a pistil. The two main types of pollination are self pollination and cross pollination. Self pollination also referred to as autogamy, is when a flower can fertilize itself because it has both female and male reproductive system. The most common type of pollination, however, is cross pollination. In cross pollination, a flower is

The embryo is a young sporophyte, tiny plant before it develops from the seed. (http://www.kidzone.ws/science/is-seeds.htm)

There is a concept in science that has been taught since the beginning of genetics. The genome lays down the blue prints for most all of a person’s physical features, but an embryo is a blank slate. Its epigenome doesn’t carry anything down from the parents. What’s not being taught today is that this information isn’t completely true. The epigenome carries epigenetic tags of past experiences, which can be passed down to future generations. The University of Utah Health Sciences Department gives a simple version of the definition of epigenetics, “As an organism grows and develops, carefully orchestrated chemical reactions activate and deactivate parts of the genome at strategic times and in specific locations. Epigenetics is the study of these chemical reactions and the factors that influence them.” There is no modification to the DNA sequence, rather the way cells read the genes is changed. Epigenetic tags are turned on and off based on signals from the environment, which is important to help us adapt to the environment around us and to form new memories. Because the body is made up mostly of differentiated cells, there is plenty of room for change depending on the stimulus in early development through old age.

The development and importance of epigenetics has revealed to the world the explanation of many gene expressing mutations also factors that may account for genetic variation. The result of this observation helped many scientists around the world cures as well as new analysis methods to help survivors .The understanding obtained from the discovery of epigenetics has and will continue to inform ways of preventing and manipulating genetic expressions to our advantage throughout these upcoming generations. Throughout this essay response, the following information will cover the focus on how epigenetics can account for genetic variability in organisms, it will also relate to factors

The video from PBS explains epigenetics through identical twins. These twin’s embryos have the same genome and epigenome where cells develop into skin, bone and tissue. Their

Genomic imprinting- is the epigenetic system where ‘stamping’ of the genetic information occurs according to whether it is inherited from the mother or the father. This modification determines whether the information contained in the gene copy is expressed or not.

Not only social experiences cause epigenetic changes, but also the lifestyle. Although epigenetic marks are more consistent during adulthood, it follows the human lifespan through the malleability of the lifestyle varieties and environmental impact. Nutritional bioactivity in certain foods can modify gene expression via alteration in DNA with methylation and histone modifications, which have influences on health and wellbeing (“Epigenetics: the link between nature and nurture,” 2013). Studies have revealed that different foods have different impacts on the epigenome and health; for example, diets that are high in fat, and low in low carbohydrates may open up chromatin and improve mental capability via HDAC (histone deacetylase) inhibitors (Epigenetics: Fundamentals, History, and Examples | What is Epigenetics?, n.d.). While other studies have shown that consuming certain

The results of this lab showed the stages and events that occur in meiosis and mitosis. The four stages of mitosis were observed in the blastula staged whitefish embryo slides. The phases of mitosis are prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase. The beginning stages that occur in mitosis take place in interphase, which are G_1, S, and G_2. In the G_1 stage, the cell begins to increase in size. After the size of the cell has increased it proceeds to the S stage where the chromosomes start to replicate themselves and attach together to the centromere. When the chromosomes are finished replicating themselves, it enters the G_2 stage where proteins check the integrity of the DNA. If everything is normal, the chromosomes are allowed to enter mitosis and begin the cell division process.

Epigenetic inheritance is different from “normal” inheritance because epigenetic inheritance inherited traits that cannot be explained by changes in a DNA sequence. For every trait, an organism receives two alleles (one from mom and one from dad.) Epigenetic inheritance goes against the idea that inheritance happens only through the DNA code that passes from parent to offspring. It means that a parent's experiences, in the form of epigenetic tags, can be passed down to future generations.

The famous and classic example is of a giraffe and its neck. A giraffe who uses its neck to reach taller and more out of reach food sources, will have altered neck muscles and pass this to its offspring who will have stronger and longer necks. Essentially a gene for stronger/longer neck muscles is passed on. ‘A gene’ just for a specific characteristic however is a misconception. In the mainstream public, there is a gene for this behaviour or that characteristic; on the other hand it is difficult to establish a causal link between genes and specific characteristics, behaviours, cognition etc. The first use of the term epigenetics however is associated to Conrad Waddington. His article, originally published in 1942, wasn’t the same epigenetics back then. Instead he focused on the biological and external environmental stimuli’s effect on embryonic development. Waddington focused not to challenge the genetic centred research, but instead link together the effects of the environment, the resulting phenotype directly to the genotype. It wasn’t until many years later however was it accepted in the wider scientific

The term bond means that there is a mutual psychological and emotional connection or closeness between two or more animals. Imprinting is when there is a tendency that a young or a new-born animal follows the first living moving thing that it sees, whether if it is its mother or not, it is common that it may not be of the same species (Explain like I'm five, 2016). There has been a major development within the evolution in mammals. The internal fetus development and the protracted care that comes after birth to ensure that the infant will survive until its reproduction age.

Human development from conception to adulthood is a conjoined partnership, moulded within our cells, of Nature (the DNA we inherit) and Nurture (the prevailing nutritional, social and physical environment). The field of epigenetic is quickly growing and with it the understanding that both the environment and individual lifestyle can also directly interact with the genome to influence epigenetic change. Developing organisms seem to have a wide range of susceptibility to epigenetic changes. Appropriate dynamics in epigenetic modifications are essential for embryogenesis, early fetal development and early postnatal growth. Consequently, the inadequate establishment of epigenetic modifications during critical developmental periods due to changes

Each cell division from a spermatogonium to a spermatid is incomplete; the cells remain connected to one another by bridges of cytoplasm to allow synchronous development. It should also be noted that not all spermatogonia divide to produce spermatocytes, otherwise the supply would run out. Instead, certain types of spermatogonia divide to produce copies of themselves, thereby ensuring a constant supply of gametogonia to fuel spermatogenesis.[4]