Question

How DNA replication takes place?

How do you explain the link between this process and biopsychology?

In your opinion, what is the role of DNA replication in personality development?

How does epigenetics explain the role of the environment on human genetic development?

Answer 1

1.DNA replication occurs in a semi conservative manner during which DNA that is a double helix of two complementary strands separates ,and each of the strands acts as a template for the synthesis of its counterpart.The steps involve separation of the strands,formation of replication fork,addition of nucleotides and finally termination.

2.Correct DNA replication without errors results in correct synthesis of proteins via transcription.When there are errors in DNA replicationand bases are altered, it results in error prone DNA replication which if not corrected results in defective proteins/neuropeptides that accumulate in the the brain cells thereby altering its activities of proper emotions, memory and other congnitive skills.

3.The role of DNA replication in personality development is not much researched but we can say that error prone DNA replication may result in different neuropeptide formation that influences brain functions thereby bringing changes in personality development.

4.Epigenetics doe not effect or alter the DNA sequences but rather affects the expression of genes.Epigenetic affects the chromosomes that in turn affects the gene expression.The chromosomes are affected in the sense that the DNA undergoes methylation of specific bases ,histone modification etc such that gene expression is altered without actually altering the sequence of DNA.There are evidences that have shown that environmental factors such as stress , pollutants etc affects the DNA methylation in early human development and later in life.For example in suicide tendency children who faced abuse in childhood,it has been reported that there was hypermethylation of the glucocorticoid receptor gene while it was not seen suicide tendency children who were not exposed to childhood abuse.