Lab 9: Epigenetics

Online Access is required to complete this lab

Watch the following videos to gain a better understanding of Epigenetics:
http://www.pbslearningmedia.org/asset/biot09_vid_epigenetics/ (Links to an external
site.)Links to an external site. (About 5 minutes)

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k50yMwEOWGU (Links to an external site.)Links to

an external site. (About 5 minutes)
 
Now read the article from the Washington Post, then answer the first 7 questions.
Be sure to put your answers into your own words - direct phrases from the article will
not be accepted.
 https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/study-finds-that-fear-can-travel-
quickly-through-generations-of-mice-dna/2013/12/07/94dc97f2-5e8e-11e3-bc56-
c6ca94801fac_story.html?utm_term=.ab2ee6212340

Now read about the same study in a second article from the journal Nature to answer
questions 8-10. 

http://www.nature.com/news/fearful-memories-haunt-mouse-descendants-1.14272 

Question 1
A) What was the reaction of the offspring from these cherry-fearing male mice when
they were also exposed to the smell of cherry blossoms?

The mice were afraid of the smell of cherry blossoms.

B) The article does not explain this directly, but do you think the offspring ever had
contact with their cherry-fearing fathers?

From the article, it is possible, but the results wouldn’t differ.

Question 2

Researchers hypothesize that the fear of cherries was transmitted by “epigenetics”.

Explain this term to me in your own words, drawing from lecture notes, the optional
video, and additional internet sources if necessary.

In my own words Epigenetics is the additional information layered on top of the sequence of
letters which makes up DNA.

Question 3

Our DNA remains unchanged throughout our lives (except for any mutations that might
occur).
A) Do our epigenetic markers change throughout our lives?

Yes, they do

B) How are they passed down to our offspring?

The epigenetic marks attach to our DNA and then through the process of methylation our DNA
will pass down the marks to our offspring

Question 4

How recently has this new field of epigenetics become accepted scientifically?

From a simple google search I learned the term epigenetics was coined in 1942. However, from
all the articles I’ve been over, the field of epigenetic just recently started picking up credibility
and interest
Question 5

In addition to fearing the smell of cherries, the offspring also showed neurological
changes (changes in certain cells) – what specifically were these?

As the mice were exposed to the cherry-blossom smell while being shocked at the same time
allowed them to develop a fear for the smell and giving them a greater amount of cherry-blossom
detecting neurons so they were able to pick up even the faintest smell.

Question 6

How do researchers think epigenetics might affect human physiology?

The offspring could inherit physiological diseases.

Question 7

There have been several other compelling studies looking at possible effects of
epigenetics on animal physiology or memory, including in humans. On your own, find a
news report about a HUMAN epigenetics study or hypothesis, and tell me about it. Be
sure to include your internet links! Again, I'm looking for a well-developed paragraph (or
two).
https://www.nature.com/news/2010/101020/full/news.2010.553.html

This article refers to a epigenetic based study on rats, it suggests that daughters of fathers with
obesity are more likely to develop diabetes. The rat study showed that daughters of the obese
father rats have troubles related to glucose and insulin levels. And daughters of healthy father
rats, had no issues at all.
Question 8
Be sure to read the second article (from Nature) before answering the next 3 questions.
 
The article states:
"Heritable traits:
Studying the biological basis for those effects in humans would be difficult. So Ressler
and his colleague Brian Dias opted to study epigenetic inheritance in laboratory mice..."
 
Why might it be difficult to study a biological process such as epigenetics in people?
(the answer is not in the article - you will need to form your own).

I believe it would be difficult to study epigenetic in people because the role you ,ust take on.
From reading multiple articles, any disturbance of the epigenetic process can have major health
and behavioral consequences. Also, the process takes time.

Question 9
Towards the end of the article, there is criticism of the research. In your own words, why
does Timothy Bestor feel the conclusions of this study of cherry-fearing mice are
flawed?

Timothy Bestor believes that the proteins associated with the fear are not likely to be influenced
by methylation.

Question 10
A) Which article (Washington Post or Nature) seems to give a more balanced
account of the study?

In my opinion, the Nature article provides a well balanced approach, as it includes an opposing
view towards the end of the article.
B) Which article do you think is more scientifically credible?

In my opinion, I believe the Nature article was greater in credibility due more credible sources,
and the information provided was intended to inform rather than entertain.