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Ghost in Your Genes
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Viewing Ideas
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Before Watching
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Epigenetic effects employ the chemical mechanisms involved with
DNA. As a class, review the following definitions:
DNA, chromosome, and genome (see
Key Terms). Use a model of DNA to have students identify the two strands
that make up DNA, the sugar-phosphate backbone, the individual
nucleotide bases, and the nucleotide base pairs.
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Review the concept of gene expression with students. What is it?
(Gene expression is the ability of a gene to produce a
biologically active protein.)
To help students understand this process, use the
graphic
to guide them through the process of transcription and
translation. Once you have reviewed the process with students,
have them work in pairs to transcribe and translate a gene
online at:
learn.genetics.utah.edu/units/basics/transcribe
After Watching
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Discuss the concept of epigenetics. What is it?
(Epigenetics is the study of the modifications to genes, such
as by methylation, which do not involve changing the
underlying DNA.)
How does normal gene expression differ from epigenetic effects
on the genome?
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The program raises some social and ethical implications
regarding epigenetic effects. While scientists still don't know
exactly what affects the epigenome or how it may be passed down
to future generations, if lifestyle choices or environmental
effects are passed down, what would students consider changing
about their current lifestyle for any potential offspring they
may have? How certain would they need to be that their epigenome
was being affected before they made the change?
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