genetics and epigenetics

What are proteins?

Large, complex molecules that play a critical role in the body.

How are proteins built?

Proteins are built from chains of amino acids, with over 20 to choose from, where specific combinations change the function and structure.

Structural proteins

Proteins that help to hold cells and tissue together, such as collagen.

Enzymes

Proteins that catalyze chemical reactions and aid in metabolism, for example, monoamine oxidase.

Cell signaling proteins

Proteins that are involved in communication between cells, including peptide neurotransmitters and receptors for hormones.

What is the role of DNA?

DNA is a recipe that tells cells how to build proteins, including which amino acids to use and the order to put them in.

What are genes?

Segments of DNA that code for particular proteins.

Nucleotide bases

The four building blocks of DNA: Adenine, Thymine, Guanine, and Cytosine.

What binds with Adenine in DNA?

Thymine binds with Adenine.

What binds with Guanine in DNA?

Cytosine binds with Guanine.

Codons

Genes are organized in codons, each is 3 nucleotides long and codes for a specific amino acid.

What is mRNA?

Messenger RNA that carries protein information from DNA in the nucleus to the cytoplasm.

Transcription

The process of copying a gene into a strand of messenger RNA, the first step in gene expression.

What is optogenetics?

A transgenic technique that combines genetics and light to control targeted cells in living tissue.

Mendelian inheritance

Genetic inheritance based on dominant and recessive genes, traits passed from parents to children.

Epigenetics

The study of how behaviors and environment cause changes that affect gene function.

Histone acetylation

An epigenetic mark that loosens chromatin and increases gene transcription.

Histone methylation

An epigenetic mark that tightens chromatin and decreases gene transcription.

How does the environment influence gene activity?

The environment can regulate the behavior of epigenetic writers and erasers, affecting gene activity.

Effects of high licking/grooming by maternal figures

Offspring are less anxious and produce less stress hormone; females may become high lick/grooming mothers.

Effects of low licking/grooming by maternal figures

Increased DNA methylation leading to less glucocorticoid receptors and more anxiety in offspring.