Epigenetics

Question 1

Define genetics:

Answer 1

Your genes

Question 2

Define epigenetics

Answer 2

Changes that affect how your genes work that may be a result of behaviours or the environment

Question 3

DNA methylation

Answer 3

-adding a chemical group to DNA
-Blocks protien from reading the gene
- turns genes ‘on’ and ‘off’

Question 4

Histone modification

Answer 4

-DNA wrapped tightly around histones can’t be read are ‘off’

Question 5

Epigenetic and nutrition during pregnancy

Answer 5

-what the mother eats can affect the babys epigenetics and can influence diseases they get in the future

Question 6

Infections and epigenetics

Answer 6

Some bacteria can turn genes on or off

Question 7

Where are oligosaccharides, lactoferrin and bifidobacteria found?

Answer 7

Breast milk

Question 8

What does oligosaccharides and bifidobacteria do?

Answer 8

Promote growth of good microbes and igA which protects against necrotising bacteria

Question 9

What does lactoferrin do?

Answer 9

Help with iron absorption and binds to inflammatory genes turning them off

Question 10

How does breastmilk reduce obesity?

Answer 10

-leptin (fullness hormone) is present in breastmilk
-oligosaccharides promote bifidobacteria which reduces obesity
-breastfed babies do not have Ala12 which is attributed to higher BMI and fat deposits