Every cell in your body has the same DNA, but a skin cell looks different from a brain cell because different genes are turned "on" or "off." This is controlled by chemical "tags" on the DNA.
The Two Main Mechanisms:
DNA Methylation: A chemical group (methyl) attaches to the DNA. When this "tag" is present, it usually acts like a "stop" sign, preventing the gene from being read. This effectively turns the gene off.
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Histone Modification: DNA is wrapped around proteins called histones. If the histones are packed tightly, the DNA can't be read (gene off). If they are loosened, the DNA is accessible (gene on).
Epigenetics is the study of how your behaviors and environment can cause changes that affect the way your genes work. Unlike genetic changes, epigenetic changes do not change your DNA sequence (the "letters"); instead, they change how your body reads a DNA sequence (the "volume").
Researcher Note:
For a long time, we thought our genetic fate was sealed at birth. Epigenetics proves that the "nurture" part of the equation actually leaves physical marks on the "nature" part.
For a long time, we thought our genetic fate was sealed at birth. Epigenetics proves that the "nurture" part of the equation actually leaves physical marks on the "nature" part.