Question

My assignment is to write an essay no more than 4 pages on this topic. I've already done about half a page but my prof doesn't have the best notes and I'm not to good with research.

What are the non-molecular epigenetic mechanisms? What is their importance to evolution and how they challenge traditional evolutionary theory. You must use examples.

Answer 1

The definition of non molecular epigenetics and its specific mechanisms including DNA methylation and gene imprinting, modifications of nucleosomal histones associated with silencing or activation of gene transcription, RNA interference, chromosomal silencing, and the role of mobile elements are discussed.Epigenetic mechanisms include DNAmethylation, histone modifications, and noncoding ribonucleic acid regulation. Collectively, epigenetic mechanisms determine chromatin architecture, accessibility of genetic loci to transcriptional machinery, and gene expression levels.

Epigenetics is the study of how the expression of DNA can be changed without changing the structure of DNA itself. Understanding what causes disease is essential to not only create treatments, but also to work towards ways of preventing the disease in the first place.When theseepigenetics changes are heritable, they can influence evolution.

Contribution of non molecular epigenetic modifications toevolution. Epigenetics is the study of changes in gene expression that occur via mechanisms such as DNA methylation, histone acetylation, and microRNA modification. When these epigeneticschanges are heritable, they can influence evolution.

One example of an non molecular epigenetic change is DNA methylation — the addition of a methyl group, or a "chemical cap," to part of the DNA molecule, which prevents certain genes from being expressed. Another example is histone modification.