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Ghost in Your Genes
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Viewing Ideas
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Before Watching
Epigenetic effects employ the chemical mechanisms
involved with DNA. As a class, review the following definitions: DNA,
chromosome, and genome (see Key Terms). Use a model of DNA to have students identify the two
strands that make up DNA, the sugar-phosphate backbone, the individual
nucleotide bases, and the nucleotide base pairs. Review the concept of gene expression with students.
What is it? (Gene expression is the ability of a gene to
produce a biologically active protein.) To help students understand this
process, use the graphic to guide them through the process of
transcription and translation. Once you have reviewed the process with
students, have them work in pairs to transcribe and translate a gene online at:
learn.genetics.utah.edu/units/basics/transcribe
After Watching
Discuss the concept of epigenetics. What is it? (Epigenetics is the study of
the modifications to genes, such as by methylation, which do not involve changing the underlying DNA.) How does normal gene expression differ from
epigenetic effects on the genome? The program
raises some social and ethical implications regarding epigenetic effects. While
scientists still don't know exactly what affects the epigenome or how it
may be passed down to future generations, if lifestyle choices or environmental
effects are passed down, what would students consider changing about their
current lifestyle for any potential offspring they may have? How certain would
they need to be that their epigenome was being affected before they made the
change?
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