Growth and development entail the passage of genes from one generation to the other. Epigenetics is the scientific study of factors that have a great impact on the genes of an individual. Epigenetics elaborates on the phenomena behind the factors that switch other genes in the human body on and off. When a gene in an individual is switched off because of certain circumstances such as environment and nutrition, it will be impossible for the child to inherit his/her parent’s genes (Cronje, n.d.). An epigenetic study uncovers how genes are expressed from one generation to another.
Deoxyribonucleic acid is one of the major compositions of any living organism’s cells. The human cells are made of completely similar content of deoxyribonucleic acid, which is hereditary from one generation to the other through their respective parents. The cells in the body are responsible for different structures and functions of the genes in an individual’s body. In some instances, the functions of the genes in an individual’s cell may be affected due to different conditions. Epigenetics enables the appropriate study of the factors that significantly impact the functioning of the cells that may lead to the turning on and off of different genes present in the cells.
Epigenetics is an important scientific aspect because it enables individuals to understand the relationship between different generations. Epigenetics study also helps understand the different concepts behind the similarities and differences between the older generation and the present and future generation. Through the study of an individual’s immediate environment, while growing up and the lifestyle one lives, epigenetics enables an individual to adopt an appropriate lifestyle and surrounding to avoid inconsistencies in genetic compositions due to switching on and off of other genes in the human cell. Epigenetics also help in understanding the functions of cells in different parts of the body, such as the brain and the nerves.
I have come across the concept of epigenetics before. However, I did not have the chance to have an in-depth analysis of the hypothesis. The video has enabled me to acquire more relevant information that is very educative. The video breaks down the theories of epigenetics into simple concepts that are easily understandable by an individual. The video content also enabled a greater understanding of the relationship between epigenetics and deoxyribonucleic acid and its impact on an individual’s genetic composition inherited from a parent to kin.
The video “Ghost in the Genes” aims to elaborate on the relationship between different generations that are related genetically. The explanations by different experts in the video enable individuals to understand how different conditions significantly affect the genetic composition of different individuals, which their children inherit. Offsprings acquire various traits from their parent through genetic heredity (Cronje, n.d.). Some of the major traits are acquired due to the fact that they were exposed to environments that favor such traits from their parents.
The video utilizes reliable organisms that have the same number of cells and genetic composition as human beings, such as monkeys, rats, and fish. The use of these animals enables a greater understanding of the content of genetic inheritance through observation. I now have a better understanding of the relationship between parents and their offspring and the impact of the environment surrounding them are exposed to and their nutritional lifestyle on the cells’ functioning.
Reference
Cronje, F. (n.d.). Ghost in the genes. Vimeo. Web.