D2.2 Epigenetics (HL)

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and definitions related to genetics and epigenetics discussed in the lecture notes.

Genotype

The allele combination for any particular characteristic.

Phenotype

Physical expression of a trait, influenced by both genotype and environment.

Phenotypic plasticity

The capacity for an organism to alter their features in response to environmental triggers by varying their patterns of gene expression.

Gene expression

The mechanism by which information in genes affects the phenotype by producing proteins.

Genome

The entire set of genetic instructions for a given organism.

Transcriptome

Complete set of actively transcribed instructions present in a cell.

Proteome

The totality of expressed proteins at any particular time in a cell.

Translation control

Regulation of gene expression by controlling the degradation of mRNA to determine protein assembly levels.

Transcription factors

Proteins that mediate the attachment of RNA polymerase to the promoter region of genes.

Epigenesis

Development of patterns of differentiation in the cells of a multicellular organism through differential gene expression.

Epigenetic tags

Chemical modifications on DNA that regulate gene expression and determine if genes are switched 'on' or 'off'.

Methylation

The addition of methyl groups to DNA or histones, often inhibiting transcription.

Imprinted genes

Genes that retain their epigenetic tags in the ovum and sperm, allowing for phenotypic changes to be passed on.

Biochemical signaling

Intracellular signals, such as inducers, that regulate the activity of transcription factors.