The study of epigenetics explores how the environment and behaviors affecting a human or an animal can influence one’s gene functioning. In contrast to genetic changes, epigenetic shifts can be reversed because they have no impact on the DNA sequence; however, they can impact the way in which one’s organism reads the sequence. Epigenetic changes in individuals are likely to occur from birth – while cells have the same genes, they can look and act differently during the development process. With aging, epigenetic changes will occur throughout life. It is possible that they will get reversed because the changes are not permanent, with some being added or removed as a response to behavioral and environmental influences.
In an experiment involving two identical twin mice, scholars studied the impact of epigenetics on the development of an organism. One of the mice was shown to be significantly larger than the other because it had been consuming more food and was physically inactive and thus gained more weight. Therefore, the mice are genetically identical but are different epigenetically, which is illustrated by the difference in their appearance (PBS Learning Media, 2009). The experiment helps us understand the principles of genetics and suggests that one’s genetic makeup will not depend solely on the characteristics inherited from one’s parents. It does change the understanding of heredity because it shows that not all individual characteristics are inherited, and the impact of the environment and behaviors will lead to changes that make one’s genetic makeup different. However, even though epigenetic changes occur, they can be reversed through the implementation of adjustments in the habits and the environment.
Reference
PBS Learning Media. (2009). Epigenetics. Web.