Mini Lesson 3: Epigenetics and Gene Expression Self-Check

How would you expect DNA methylation to alter gene expression:

Increase expression
Incorrect
Decrease expression
Correct! DNA methylation generally silences gene expression.
No change in expression
Incorrect.
Both decrease and increase expression
Incorrect

Control of gene expression occurs at which levels?

Only the transcriptional level
Incorrect
Only at the translational level
Incorrect
At the transcriptional and translational levels
Incorrect
At the transcription, translational, and posttranslational levels
Correct! DNA methylation and histone modification occur at the transcriptional level, microRNA at the translational level and other factors may negatively affect protein folding posttranslation.

Studies in the field of behavioral epigenetics are showing that

Childhood suffering can change the DNA code
Incorrect
Past traumas can be recorded on the epigenome and passed on
Correct! Past trauma can cause epigenetic modifications that are heritable
DNA is extremely vulnerable to re-coding molecules
Incorrect
Past traumas can make brain fluid more acidic
Incorrect

Diets of parents can affect their offspring’s epigenome

True
Correct! Poor diets of human adults can induce epigenetic changes in all cells — even sperm and egg cells — and these changes can be passed on to offspring. May also be related to more distant relatives like grandparents.
False
Incorrect