What is Epigenetics
Epigenetics is the study of how behaviors and environment can cause changes that affect the way genes work Epigenetic changes are reversible and do not change DNA sequence, but they can change how the body reads a DNA sequence.
Epigenetics delves into how specific chemical alterations to genes or the proteins associated with them can impact the way genetic information is utilized by cells. These epigenetic changes, which differ from genetic mutations, are reversible and don‘t alter the DNA sequence itself. Instead, they affect the interpretation of the DNA sequence by the organism‘s body.
The most recognized form of epigenetic alteration is methylation, which involves the addition of a methyl group to the DNA. This process can be temporary, with changes occurring swiftly within a cell‘s or organism‘s lifespan, or it can be more stable, established during early embryonic development. Other significant and generally stable chemical changes include histone acetylation, ubiquitination, and phosphorylation, all of which contribute to the regulation of gene expression.
