EpigeneticsLet’s go to the video!Youtube link – 13:39 – 27:04

1. What is epigenetics?

2. How is the DNA changed?

3. Why would these changes take place?

4. What are some examples of epigenetics?

Also consider using http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JTBg6hqeuTg

Epigenetics Part 2

Let’s go to the audio slideshow!Must open in Google Chrome5. These Agouti mice are identical

twins?! How did the researchers make this happen?

6. How are these mice an example of epigenetics?

Epigenetics Part 3Let’s go to the animations!

7. This link describes the connection between nurture and gene expression - Do “Lick Your Rats” – “Investigate” all 4 sections first!- Then choose “Lick a rat pup”).

What is the connection between how the mothers treated their pups and the pups’ genes?

Epigenetics Part 4Let’s go to the first article!

8. The research presented in this article is used as evidence to support epigenetics. How does environment play a role in gene expression in this article?

Epigenetics Part 5Let’s go to the second paper!

Epigenetics Part 5

Let’s go to the second paper!

9. The research presented in this article is used as evidence to support epigenetics. What surprising results did they find in studying the families of Norrbrotten, Sweden? (Here’s a link to a more detailed version).

GRgene

A T A G C A

(no –CH3)

ON

Stressprotein

GRprotein

GRprotein

Digested stress protein

NOSTRESS

GRgene

A T A G C A OFF

No GRprotein

Stressprotein

STRESS!

CH3

What causes a gene to be methylated or not?

1. Nurture – Mouse mothers; GR gene

2. Nutrition – Agouti mice; yellow and obsese vs. brown and skinny

3. Chemicals – BPA in water bottles

4. Your own body – ESC’s turning on/off genes to become different cell types

5. ??????? – ARTICLE 1

Really odd:

These methyl tags can “stick around” for:

1. entire life

2. through generations – ARTICLE 2