Epigenetics: Beyond the Genetic Code — Reading Comprehension
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MS-LS3-1
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This learning resource is available in interactive and printable formats. The interactive worksheet can be played online and assigned to students. The Printable PDF version can be downloaded and printed for completion by hand.
This passage introduces epigenetics, covering DNA methylation, histone modification, and environmental influences like diet and stress. Aligned with NGSS MS-LS3-1 (Heredity), it explains how identical DNA can yield diverse cell types and generational health impacts. Real-world examples include the Dutch Hunger Winter and bee caste systems. Designed for middle school life science, it enhances comprehension of gene regulation beyond traditional genetics.
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"PTSD DNA methylation chromosome remodeling" by Jennifer A. Rusiecki / Wikimedia Commons.
Epigenetics is the study of heritable changes in gene activity that occur without altering the DNA sequence. While all cells in your body contain identical DNA, epigenetic mechanisms explain why a skin cell differs from a neuron, and how environmental factors can influence health across generations.
Key Epigenetic Mechanisms
DNA Methylation
○ Chemical tags (methyl groups) attach to DNA, typically silencing genes.
○ Example: X-chromosome inactivation in female mammals.
Histone Modification
○ Proteins called histones package DNA; chemical changes (e.g., acetylation) make genes more or less accessible for expression.
Non-Coding RNA
○ RNA molecules regulate gene expression post-transcriptionally, like molecular "switches."