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Related Concept Videos

Epigenetic Regulation01:46

Epigenetic Regulation

Epigenetic mechanisms play an essential role in healthy development. Conversely, precisely regulated epigenetic mechanisms are disrupted in diseases like cancer.
Epigenetic Regulation01:37

Epigenetic Regulation

Epigenetic changes alter the physical structure of the DNA without changing the genetic sequence and often regulate whether genes are turned on or off. This regulation ensures that each cell produces only proteins necessary for its function. For example, proteins that promote bone growth are not produced in muscle cells. Epigenetic mechanisms play an essential role in healthy development. Conversely, precisely regulated epigenetic mechanisms are disrupted in diseases like cancer.
X-chromosome...
Background and Environment Affect Phenotype02:27

Background and Environment Affect Phenotype

Although the genetic makeup of an organism plays a major role in determining the phenotype, there are also several environmental factors, such as temperature, oxygen availability, presence of mutagens, that can alter an organism’s phenotype.
An example of how genetic background affects phenotype can be seen in horses. The Extension gene in horses is responsible for their coat color. A wild-type gene (EE) produces black pigment in the coat, while a mutant gene (ee) produces red pigment. A...
What is Behavior?00:54

What is Behavior?

Behaviors are actions that an organism engages in—they can be related to finding food, reproducing, defending against threats, and many other possible actions. Behaviors include activities related to the environment around the animal—such as migration—as well as social interactions within a species or population. Many behaviors involve motor output—that is, muscle movements—while others involve less visible actions, such as learning.
Genomic Imprinting and Inheritance02:30

Genomic Imprinting and Inheritance

Diploid organisms inherit genetic material through chromosomes from both parents. Copies of the same gene are known as alleles. In most cases, both alleles are simultaneously expressed and allow various cellular processes to function optimally. If one of the alleles is missing or mutated, the expression of the other allele can compensate; however, this is not true for all genes.
The expression of some genes depends on which parent passed the gene to the offspring, through a phenomenon known as...
Gene-Environment Interactions01:20

Gene-Environment Interactions

Gene expression is a dynamic process that is significantly influenced by environmental factors. This interaction underlies the complex nature of biological development and the phenotypic differences observed among individuals, even among those with identical genetic makeups. Factors such as radiation, temperature, behavior, nutrition, and stress play pivotal roles in determining how genes are expressed. The concept of the reaction range is central to understanding this interaction. It posits...

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Related Experiment Video

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Stable Isotope In-Vivo Labeling for Mass-Spectrometry Identification of Paternal Metabolites Transferred from Sperm to Oocyte During Fertilization
05:55

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Transgenerational epigenetic effects on animal behaviour.

Per Jensen1

  • 1IFM Biology, AVIAN Behaviour Genomics and Physiology group, Linköping University, 581 83 Linköping, Sweden.

Progress in Biophysics and Molecular Biology
|February 2, 2013
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Environmental factors significantly influence animal behavior through epigenetic modifications. These changes in DNA and histone markings can be inherited across generations, impacting evolution.

Keywords:
BehaviourEpigeneticsMethylationStress

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Area of Science:

  • Genetics and Epigenetics
  • Animal Behavior
  • Evolutionary Biology

Background:

  • A paradigm shift recognizes environmental influences on gene regulation.
  • Animal genomes are modified by environmental experiences, affecting epigenetic markings.
  • Epigenetic modifications influence behavior and can be inherited across generations.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore how epigenetic modifications affect animal behavior.
  • To investigate the transgenerational inheritance of acquired behavioral alterations.
  • To examine the role of epigenetic variants in natural selection.

Main Methods:

  • Review of studies on epigenetic mechanisms (e.g., DNA methylation, histone acetylation).
  • Analysis of evidence linking epigenome modifications to behavioral variation.
  • Examination of inherited epigenetic variants via germline or environment.

Main Results:

  • Environmental experiences induce epigenetic modifications.
  • Specific epigenome changes are linked to behavioral variations.
  • Epigenetic modifications, often stress-related, can be inherited.

Conclusions:

  • Epigenetic modifications mediate the relationship between environment and behavior.
  • Transgenerational epigenetic inheritance influences behavioral evolution.
  • Inherited epigenetic variants may act as substrates for natural selection.