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Related Concept Videos

Inheritance01:25

Inheritance

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Gregor Mendel's pioneering work on the principles of inheritance fundamentally transformed our understanding of how traits are transmitted from generation to generation. His experiments with pea plants laid the groundwork for the discovery of genes, discrete units within organisms that control heredity.
Each gene exists in pairs, and the combination of these genes from both parents forms an individual's genotype. This genotype is a blueprint of potential traits. Examples of genotype...
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Gene-Environment Interactions01:20

Gene-Environment Interactions

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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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Genomic Imprinting and Inheritance02:30

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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.
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Background and Environment Affect Phenotype02:27

Background and Environment Affect Phenotype

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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...
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Epigenetic Regulation01:37

Epigenetic Regulation

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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...
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Inheritance of Chromatin Structures03:17

Inheritance of Chromatin Structures

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Epigenetics is the study of inherited changes in a cell's phenotype without changing the DNA sequences. It provides a form of memory for the differential gene expression pattern to maintain cell lineage, position-effect variegation, dosage compensation, and maintenance of chromatin structures such as telomeres and centromeres. For example, the structure and location of the centromere on chromosomes are epigenetically inherited. Its functionality is not dictated or ensured by the underlying...
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Author Spotlight: RNAi Inheritance and ChIP in C. elegans
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Transgenerational inheritance and its modulation by environmental cues.

Roxane Verdikt1, Abigail A Armstrong2, Patrick Allard3

  • 1Institute for Society and Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States.

Current Topics in Developmental Biology
|January 27, 2023
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Environmental factors can influence offspring phenotypes across generations through epigenetic inheritance. This review explores germline epigenetic mechanisms, developmental susceptibility, and evidence from human and animal studies, highlighting challenges and future directions.

Keywords:
Environmental exposuresEpigenetic remodelingGermlineTransgenerational epigenetic inheritance

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Area of Science:

  • Epigenetics and developmental biology
  • Transgenerational inheritance studies

Background:

  • The epigenome significantly influences organism phenotypes.
  • Transgenerational epigenetic inheritance through the germline remains a debated topic.
  • Understanding environmental impacts on inherited traits is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review epigenetic inheritance mechanisms and germline development.
  • To identify windows of susceptibility to environmental cues.
  • To discuss evidence and challenges in transgenerational inheritance.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on epigenetic inheritance.
  • Analysis of epidemiological data in humans.
  • Examination of experimental data in rodent models.

Main Results:

  • Epigenetic inheritance mechanisms are linked to germline development.
  • Specific developmental stages show susceptibility to environmental influences.
  • Evidence for transgenerational inheritance exists in humans and rodents.

Conclusions:

  • Demonstrating transgenerational inheritance faces challenges.
  • Technological advancements aid in deciphering epigenetic mechanisms.
  • Environmental factors can reshape phenotypes via an extended inheritance theory.