Name: _______________________________________________ Date: ________________________________
What is epigenetics? - Carlos Guerrero-Bosagna
https://ed.ted.com/lessons/how-the-choices-you-make-can-affect-your-genescarlos-guerrero-bosagna
The Game of Life: Epigenetics is the study of how chemical markers can modify the
expression of your genetic code. Two examples of genetic markers are methyl groups
and acetyl groups. Epigenetics starts early in life. It is the mechanism by which
embryonic stem cells differentiate. All cells in your body have an identical DNA codebut their epigenetic markers are what give specialized cells access to key genes, while
silencing others that will not be used by that cell type. We now know that epigenetic
changes occur throughout our entire lifetime, and the accumulation of epigenetic
markers and changes in gene expression can dictate the course of disease development.
It is important to note that your genetic sequence does not change, but the ability to access/express
certain genes can be changed. Methyl and acetyl groups work by attaching to chromatin (loose DNA) and/or
histone proteins (the proteins which DNA wraps around to form chromosomes). Methyl groups tighten the DNA
around the histones. This may prevent a cell from having “access” to a gene, and therefore would stop the cell
from being able to express the gene and make a protein product. Acetyl chemical markers loosen DNA from
histone proteins. This gives cellular machinery access to genes, from which the information can be used to
synthesize a protein.
It’s important to note that methylation (adding methyl groups) vs. acetylation (adding acetyl groups) does
not mean “good” or “bad.” It all depends on which gene is being affected and how it is being affected. Certain
genes, we do not want to express in high levels, like genes that control stress hormones or prompt fat storage.
Certain genes, we do want to express in high levels, like the ones that code for important digestive enzymes.
Although we are just beginning to understand epigenetics, some scientists have evidence that epigenetic
tags can be passed on from one generation to the next. The decisions that you make today could affect the health
of your family for many generations.
Answer the following questions to showing your understanding of epigenetic markers.
1. What type of epigenetic marker is shown in this picture?
2. How is the marker affecting the relationship between the DNA and
the histone?
3. What affect does this have on gene expression?
4. What type of epigenetic marker is shown in this picture?
5. How is the marker affecting the relationship between the DNA and
the histone?
6. What affect does this have on gene expression?
Let’s consider that the entire class is looking at the genetic code of a single person. Your lifestyle choices and the
environment that you live in determine epigenetic changes to your genome. While we’re all hypothetically
starting out as the “same person” here, let’s see the effect of various choices that a person could make throughout
their life. At the end, compare and contrast your epigenetic code. Are there similarities? Differences? Can you
think of life choices that correlate with these similarities and differences?
Chromosome Chemical modifications to your epigenome
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
X
Rate your lifestyle as excellent, good, poor, or very poor.
Diet/nutrition:
Rating: ______________________
Explanation:
Activity/Exercise:
Rating: ______________________
Explanation:
Mental/Social/Emotional:
Rating: ______________________
Explanation:
Take turns with your partner. Roll the dice for each category (à). For each life event, modify your genetic code by
adding methyl or acetyl groups to the stated chromosome. Some life choices add multiple chemical markers. For
example, (3A-4) tell you that this life event will add 3 acetyl groups to chromosome 4, loosening the DNA and allowing
certain genes in your genetic code to be expressed. (M-22) tells you that this life event adds 1 methyl group to
chromosome 22, which would make certain genes on that chromosome inaccessible for gene expression.
Dice #
1
Eats leafy green
ROLL vegetables once
à a week (M-16)
2
3
4
5
6
Takes a
multivitamin
every day (A22)
Grows up in
Montana (A- 3)
Eats processed
food and snacks
every day (M-8)
Eats fast food
once a week
(A-16)
Diet lacks iron
and calcium
(M-22)
High sodium diet
(A-16)
Grows up in NYC
(M- 4)
Grows up in
Texas (M- 3)
Grows up in
Chicago (M- 4)
Grows up in
Maine (A- 3)
Free time is
devoted to video
games alone
(A- 4)
Just does
homework after
school
(A- 11)
Never drinks or
smokes (A- 19)
Never drinks or
smokes (A-19)
Involved with
clubs and teams
ROLL (A- 13)
à
Doesn’t have
many friends,
feels lonely
(2M- 13)
Sleeps 8 hours a
ROLL night (M- 5)
à
Hates job;
ROLL miserable going
à
to work
(3A- 11)
Has an
occasional glass
ROLL of wine with
à
dinner
(A- 18)
Hasn’t been
active since
ROLL high school
à
(2A- 4)
Sleeps 5-6
hours a night
(3A- 4)
Hates job;
financially
stressed
(3A- 11)
Does not drink
(2A- 18)
Busy with school
work, hangs out
with friends on
the weekend
(A- 13)
Sleeps 8 hours a
night (M- 5)
Plays
basketball after
school with
friends
(M- 21)
Develops
addiction at
young age (4M17)
Has a big family
and spends lots
of time with
cousins, etc.
(M- 13)
Sleeps 8 hours
a night (M- 5)
Goes hard in gym
class every day
(M- 21)
Never drinks or
ROLL smokes
à
(A- 19)
Lays on bed
after school
and stares at
phone
(A- 4)
Starts vaping in
high school
(3M- 17)
Used to have
friends, but they
all changed. Now
you have none
(2M- 13)
Sleeps 5-6 hours
a night (3A- 4)
Social in school,
likes school,
feels happy at
school
(3A- 13)
Sleeps 5-6 hours
a night (3A- 4)
High income;
you’re the boss
(2M- 10)
Works 70+
hours a week
(A-11)
Has a few beers
or glasses of
wine after work
every day
(2M- 8)
Joins a gym but
never goes
(A- 4)
Works all
week; drinks all
weekend
(2M- 8)
Job is chill, but
you wish you
made more
money (M-10)
Goes out for
happy hour every
now and then
(M- 6)
Can’t stand coworkers; job is
stressful
(3A-11)
Does not drink
(2A- 18)
Takes gym
classes once or
twice a week
(M- 21)
Walks to work
(M- 21)
1 hour of
exercise 5x per
week
(3M- 21)
High school
ROLL education only
à
(A-5)
Ph.D
Graduated
college
Graduated
college
College +
Master’s degree
Graduated
college
Grows up in
ROLL Florida (M- 3)
à
Plays on soccer
team
ROLL (2M- 21)
à
Jogs
(M- 21)
(2A-5)
Tried alcohol
once in high
school (M- 17)
Analysis: Epigenetics and The Game of Life
How did your final epigenome compare to your partner? Remember, you represent the same person that lived
a different life. Compare and contrast. Are there similarities? Differences? Can you think of life choices that
correlate with these similarities and differences?
___________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________
Why is knowledge about epigenetics important? Use what you’ve learned from this activity and the videos
we’ve watched to explain your answer.
___________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________
Explain how epigenetics influences gene expression. Discuss both methyl chemical markers and acetyl chemical
markers.
___________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________
Explain what epigenetics has to do with the development of an embryo.
___________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________
Explain what gene expression means (be sure to give a detailed definition).
___________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________
Explain why you would expect gene expression in a neuron to be different than gene expression in a muscle cell.
___________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________