Effect of Paternal Grandmother’s Food Supply on Infant Mortality Researchers are investigating long- reaching epigenetic effects of starvation, in part because historical data on periods of famine are widely available. Before the industrial revolution, a failed harvest in one autumn typically led to severe food shortages the following winter. A retrospective study has correlated female infant mortality at certain ages with the abundance of food during the paternal grandmother’s childhood. FIGURE 10.12 shows some of the results of this study.
FIGURE 10.12 Graph showing the relative risk of early death of a female child, correlated with the age at which her paternal grandmother experienced a winter with a food supply that was scarce (blue) or abundant (red) during childhood. The dotted line represents no difference in risk of morality. A value above the line means an increases risk; one below the line indicates a reduced risk.
1. Compare the mortality of girls whose paternal grandmothers ate well at age 2 with that of those who experienced famine at the same age. Which girl was more likely to die early? How much more likely was she to die?
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Biology: The Unity and Diversity of Life (MindTap Course List)
- Effect of Paternal Grandmothers Food Supply on Infant Mortality Researchers are investigating long- reaching epigenetic effects of starvation, in part because historical data on periods of famine are widely available. Before the industrial revolution, a failed harvest in one autumn typically led to severe food shortages the following winter. A retrospective study has correlated female infant mortality at certain ages with the abundance of food during the paternal grandmothers childhood. FIGURE 10.12 shows some of the results of this study. FIGURE 10.12 Graph showing the relative risk of early death of a female child, correlated with the age at which her paternal grandmother experienced a winter with a food supply that was scarce (blue) or abundant (red) during childhood. The dotted line represents no difference in risk of morality. A value above the line means an increases risk; one below the line indicates a reduced risk. 3. There was no correlation between early death of a male child and eating habits of his paternal grandmother, hut there was a strong correlation with the eating habits of his paternal grandfather. What does this tell you about the probable location of epigenetic changes that gave rise to these data?arrow_forwardVariations in Phenotype Expression A genetic disorder characterized by falling asleep in genetics lectures is known to be 20% penetrant. All 90 students in a genetics class are homozygous for this gene. Theoretically, how many of the 90 students will fall asleep during the next lecture?arrow_forward"Tobacco smoking triggers a large number of somaticmutations and epigenetic changes". Define about this ?arrow_forward
- (Genetic Variation) Can you please provide me an example solution using this formula: (1-m)t = qt - qm / q0 - qm Give 2nd generation of q (q2) Please provide step-by-step process using your given figures. Thank you very mucharrow_forwardUsing coat color in mice and the development of female honeybees as examples, explain how dietary factors cause epigenetic modifications and thereby lead to phenotypic effects.arrow_forwardUsing coat color in mice and the development of female honeybees as examples, explain how dietary factors can cause epigenetic modifications, leading to phenotypic effects.arrow_forward
- A couple well informed about the epigenetic effects of nutritionand dietary supplements such as choline and folatedecided to take supplements before trying to get pregnant.Their first child was born with hair and eye colors very differentfrom the parents and has been consistently praised by teachersfor learning ability and memory. The couple attributes these characteristicsto their intake of epigenetic supplements. Now theywish to have another child and have informed their physician thatthey intend to greatly increase the amount of supplements theytake to increase the epigenetic effects in their child. The physiciancautioned them that studies available in human trials showno effect of choline on learning and that excess intake of folateduring pregnancy may be associated with an increased risk ofautism spectrum disorder in the child. The couple is convincedthat these studies are not conclusive, and while more research isneeded, they intend to pursue their plan of increasing their…arrow_forwardHomozygosity for extremely rare mutations in a humangene called SCN9A cause complete insensitivity topain (congenital pain insensitivity or CPA) and a totallack of the sense of smell (anosmia). The SCN9A geneencodes a sodium channel protein required for transmission of electrical signals from particular nerves inthe body to the brain. The failure to feel pain is a dangerous condition as people cannot sense injuries.The SCN9A gene has 26 exons and encodes a1977-amino acid polypeptide. Consanguineous matings in three different families have resulted in individuals with CPA/anosmia. In Family 1, a G-to-Atransition in exon 15 results in a truncated protein that is898 amino acids long; in Family 2, deletion of a singlebase results in a 766-amino acid polypeptide; and inFamily 3, a C-to-G transversion in exon 10 yields a458-amino acid protein.a. Hypothesize as to how each of the three SCN9Amutations affects gene structure: Why are truncatedproteins made in each case? b. How would you…arrow_forwardQuestion: Explain how epigenetic marks and genomic imprinting are related. Provide a drawing to illustrate your point.arrow_forward
- The introduction to this chapter describes the long-term effects of famine on people conceived during the Dutch Hunger Winter. Q. What evidence suggests that these are epigenetic effects?arrow_forwardhttp://www.letsgethealthy.org/students/games/epigenetics-game/ (Links to an external site.) For the assignment this week I want you to play this epigenetic game that will show you how your choices (which will be the equivalent of of external factors in someone life) make your genes act differently. Last week, we learned about biology and race and how these fit together in the formation of biological determinants and social misconceptions. For this week's discussion, play the game. Discuss with your classmates what happened, and what you have learned about epigenetics and how this changes your understanding of genetics . How do epigenetic changes and epigenetic mechanisms in general influence health, our concepts of race, and inequality?arrow_forwardIn the introduction to this chapter, we discussed the role of famine during early prenatal development and how, through epigenetic effects, it influenced the health of individuals as adults. One effect that has been observed in people who were conceived during the Dutch Hunger Winter is that they suffer more cognitive decline later in life. If these individuals were autopsied after death, what differences might you expect to see in the chromatin of their brain cells? What do the mouse studies of cognition and epigenetic effects suggest?arrow_forward
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