Summary
It is puzzling that monozygotic twins who originate from a single egg and share similar appearances often grow to depict slight differences irrespective of the genes showing a considerable genetic component. The idea of epigenetics can better elucidate this conundrum. Epigenetics refers to the study of how cells regulate gene functions and activities without altering the essential sequence of DNA (Hanson & Hotaling, 2020). The model helps in understanding how variations linked to DNA control how genes are switched off or on. These modifications are anchored in DNA and do not transform the building blocks of this hereditary material.
The PBS video provides insightful discussion about this perplexing notion by offering a detailed explanation of identical twins and the commencement of diseases. The documentary shows that epigenetic variations mark as consistent and natural happening but can be impacted by other elements such as environment, age, disease state, and lifestyle. Epigenetic changes often occur through cell regeneration into brain cells, liver cells, or skin cells. Through this process, the cell adjustments can result in more harmful ramifications, such as the commencement of diseases like cancer and even other conditions such as obesity (Hanson & Hotaling, 2020). The movie also reveals three common systems that are linked to gene silencing and are highly regarded in the start and sustaining of epigenetic changes. The three entail non-coding RNA, histone modification, and DNA methylation.
Epigenetics Article
In their article, Hanson and Hotaling (2020) clarify how epigenetic deviations are involved in regulating many processes in the human body. For example, the concept serves a role in controlling the male reproductive system. In the article, epigenetics is described as modifications to an individual’s phenotype, which emanates distinctly and separately from the fundamental DNA sequence. The two main molecular alterations within this realm of epigenetics are posttranslational histone amendment and DNA methylation.
The authors further offer a vivid demonstration that explains how epigenetics partly contributes to infertility among men. For example, they highlight that different epigenetic outlines in semen that have been identified in males include low sperm count, poor movement of sperm, and abnormal semen shape. Reconfigured pathways of epigenesist, which effectively build high qualities semen, encompass lifestyle watch and environmental factors. Furthermore, epigenetics’s irregularities might have damaging consequences on semen assessment parameters, placentation, implantation, fertilization, or embryonic growth (Hanson & Hotaling, 2020). While epigenetic adjustments do not trigger alterations within the gene, it could offer a reasonable clarification to some occurrences of men impotence were no genomic inconsistencies through the known conventional methods. Besides changes in the gametes, epigenetic differences which change the spermatozoa could affect postejaculatory semen and their survival could cause disturbances to typical cytokine instruction liable for primary embryogenesis.
Family History
After completing my family history based on Dr. Oz’s Work Sheet, it is now clear how the concept of epigenesis works. While several differences exist among the diseases identified in the family members, the history marks a critical risk factor for various conditions, as seen in the commencement of illnesses among the family. For example, the outcome of the score shows that many of my family members have anemia, high cholesterol, asthma, and allergies. Reflecting on the model of epigenetics, it is clear that every member of my family inherited some genes, encompassing socioeconomic and cultural experiences that positioned them at danger of some of these diseases.
Certain conditions, such as human cancer, develop as a result of increased accrual of epigenetic shifts. The changes are recognized to show in both normal and cancerous cells. Precise trends of changes are connected to ecological influences. The build-up is related to the threat of cancer and can be used for cancer risk evaluation. Moreover, Takeshima and Ushijima (2019) highlight that a risk metric based on hereditary genes is not enough because it fails to encompass environmental involvement and age factors. Based on the completed family history assessment, I would not wholly link my risk metric to the outcome of the investigation and infer that I am vulnerable to the above-identified conditions. However, considering inherited genetic modifications identified from the parents, siblings, and other close relatives, I would conclude that environmental interaction and susceptible genomes are directly interrelated to the pathogenesis of such ailments.
Discussion
After finishing the 100 Living questionnaires, the outcomes were slightly fair, even though I anticipated much better scores. Explicitly, my healthy life expectancy stands at about 65 years. The outcome could be partly attributed to my lack of a consistent and healthy diet and lifestyle. Alternatively, my complete life expectancy score is 76.7 years which stands for the years without cancer, diabetes, or heart disease. My overall life expectancy score could be impacted by family history, demographic factors, lifestyle, or environmental factors. Further, my possible life expectancy stands at 96.5 years based on the conducted assessment, thereby exposing that I can hypothetically add about 22 years with a huge lifestyle amendment and sickness prevention strategies.
While it is hard to locate the exact factor that impacts these outcomes, I would cite economic well-being, socioeconomic status, and health behaviors among the main facets behind the outcome. Socioeconomic conditions can impact the health results of a person since it is directly associated with the value of healthcare that an individual can access (McCrory et al., 2019). Furthermore, economic welfare has a huge capability to influence the outcome since it can facilitate access to healthy meal plans and lower anxiety and stress. Finally, healthy conduct impacted the outcome due to my inconsistent exercise pattern and poor diet.
Enhancing Life and Longevity
The concept of epigenetics remains perplexing on how it leads to differences even between identical twins. However, with the vast knowledge acquired through learning this concept coupled with the discerning exercise of assessing family history, I commit to improving my longevity and health by making numerous adjustments. Part of the changes could include adopting a healthy diet that integrates fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Whole grains help to lower the danger associated with diabetes and heart disease since they have endosperm, germ, bran, and kernel.
Alternatively, fruits and vegetables are brilliant sources of minerals, vitamins, nutrients, and enzymes. The approach would go a long way in reducing the chances of developing heart-related conditions. Furthermore, I will start regular exercise to ensure that I remain active and decrease the risk of heart disease, hypertension, and diabetes. Finally, by exercising regularly, I would lower anxiety and stress linked to frustrations over issues at school, home, and the workplace. Therefore, these minor changes would result in adjustments in my behavior and mindset thereby impacting how my offspring handle stressful issues.
References
Hanson, B. M., & Hotaling, J. M. (2020). Male factor infertility: Genetic and epigenetic aspects.Human Reproductive Genetics, 1 (1), 123-142. Web.
McCrory, C., Fiorito, G., Cheallaigh, C. N., Polidoro, S., Karisola, P., Alenius, H.,… & Kenny, R. A. (2019). How does socio-economic position (SEP) get biologically embedded? A comparison of allostatic load and the epigenetic clock (s).Psychoneuroendocrinology, 104(1), 64-73. Web.
Takeshima, H., & Ushijima, T. (2019). Accumulation of genetic and epigenetic alterations in normal cells and cancer risk.NPJ Precision Oncology, 3(1), 1-8. Web.