Question
Please watch the video and read the information below to help answer the questions about twins and Epigenetics.
“Identical twins” are monozygotic twins because they come from one single sperm fertilizing one single egg, which is called a zygote. (The prefix “mono” means one.) Even though these twins have the same genes, “identical twins” are not truly identical. These twins can differ by the mutations in their DNA, by what environment they are exposed to, and in the epigenetic marks on their DNA. (These marks determine how active their genes are and whether or not certain genes are expressed.)
Epigenome means “above the genome.” If we think of the genome as being like the hardware of a computer, the epigenome is like the software that tells the computer when to work, how to work, and how much to work. The epigenome tells our cells what sort of cells they should be, and by turning some genes on and leaving some genes off, it directs certain cells to become brain cells, other cells to become skin cells, other cells to become heart cells, etc. In other words, the epigenome “silences” the unneeded genes, which makes cells different from one another. This can lead to one twin developing a disease when the other twin does not develop the same disease. Changes in epigenetic programming can cause genes to be turned on all the time, rather than being switched on and off based on the body's needs. This may lead to over-expression and the uncontrolled cell division that is typical of cancers.
Video Player
00:0005:43
Question
Based on the information in the video and reading above and in Lesson 4: Environmental Genetic Variation, please drag and drop all the statements below to categorize each statement as either true or false.
(7 points)
Put responses in the correct input to answer the question. Select a response, navigate to the desired input and insert the response. Responses can be selected and inserted using the space bar, enter key, left mouse button or touchpad. Responses can also be moved by dragging with a mouse.
Statement is True Statement is False
identical twins are truly identical in every way
all genes are expressed equally at the time
epigenomes can change over time
one twin can be diagnosed with a disease, like cancer even if the other twin is not
changes in dna can be passed to offspring if the changes are found in the gametes (sperm cell or egg)
changes in dna can be passed to offspring if the changes are found in the somatic cells (body cells)
environmental factors, like choices related to food, exercise, exposure to pollution, Chemicals(pesticides, heavy metals, tobacco smoke), extreme heat, UV radiation, etc. cause changes in the genetic material and expression of phenotypes in individuals
“Identical twins” are monozygotic twins because they come from one single sperm fertilizing one single egg, which is called a zygote. (The prefix “mono” means one.) Even though these twins have the same genes, “identical twins” are not truly identical. These twins can differ by the mutations in their DNA, by what environment they are exposed to, and in the epigenetic marks on their DNA. (These marks determine how active their genes are and whether or not certain genes are expressed.)
Epigenome means “above the genome.” If we think of the genome as being like the hardware of a computer, the epigenome is like the software that tells the computer when to work, how to work, and how much to work. The epigenome tells our cells what sort of cells they should be, and by turning some genes on and leaving some genes off, it directs certain cells to become brain cells, other cells to become skin cells, other cells to become heart cells, etc. In other words, the epigenome “silences” the unneeded genes, which makes cells different from one another. This can lead to one twin developing a disease when the other twin does not develop the same disease. Changes in epigenetic programming can cause genes to be turned on all the time, rather than being switched on and off based on the body's needs. This may lead to over-expression and the uncontrolled cell division that is typical of cancers.
Video Player
00:0005:43
Question
Based on the information in the video and reading above and in Lesson 4: Environmental Genetic Variation, please drag and drop all the statements below to categorize each statement as either true or false.
(7 points)
Put responses in the correct input to answer the question. Select a response, navigate to the desired input and insert the response. Responses can be selected and inserted using the space bar, enter key, left mouse button or touchpad. Responses can also be moved by dragging with a mouse.
Statement is True Statement is False
identical twins are truly identical in every way
all genes are expressed equally at the time
epigenomes can change over time
one twin can be diagnosed with a disease, like cancer even if the other twin is not
changes in dna can be passed to offspring if the changes are found in the gametes (sperm cell or egg)
changes in dna can be passed to offspring if the changes are found in the somatic cells (body cells)
environmental factors, like choices related to food, exercise, exposure to pollution, Chemicals(pesticides, heavy metals, tobacco smoke), extreme heat, UV radiation, etc. cause changes in the genetic material and expression of phenotypes in individuals
Answers
Answered by
GPT-4o mini
Here’s how to categorize each statement as either true or false based on the provided information:
**Statement is True:**
- epigenomes can change over time
- one twin can be diagnosed with a disease, like cancer even if the other twin is not
- changes in DNA can be passed to offspring if the changes are found in the gametes (sperm cell or egg)
- environmental factors, like choices related to food, exercise, exposure to pollution, chemicals (pesticides, heavy metals, tobacco smoke), extreme heat, UV radiation, etc. cause changes in the genetic material and expression of phenotypes in individuals
**Statement is False:**
- identical twins are truly identical in every way
- all genes are expressed equally at the time
- changes in DNA can be passed to offspring if the changes are found in the somatic cells (body cells)
This categorization reflects the key aspects of epigenetics and the nature of identical twins as described in your provided content.
**Statement is True:**
- epigenomes can change over time
- one twin can be diagnosed with a disease, like cancer even if the other twin is not
- changes in DNA can be passed to offspring if the changes are found in the gametes (sperm cell or egg)
- environmental factors, like choices related to food, exercise, exposure to pollution, chemicals (pesticides, heavy metals, tobacco smoke), extreme heat, UV radiation, etc. cause changes in the genetic material and expression of phenotypes in individuals
**Statement is False:**
- identical twins are truly identical in every way
- all genes are expressed equally at the time
- changes in DNA can be passed to offspring if the changes are found in the somatic cells (body cells)
This categorization reflects the key aspects of epigenetics and the nature of identical twins as described in your provided content.