Name: _______________________________________________ Date: ________________________________
What is epigenetics? - Carlos Guerrero-Bosagna
https://ed.ted.com/lessons/how-the-choices-you-make-can-affect-your-genes-
carlos-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 code-
but 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.
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: Activity/Exercise: Mental/Social/Emotional:
Rating: ______________________ Rating: ______________________ Rating: ______________________
Explanation: Explanation: Explanation:
Take turns with your partner. Roll the dice for each category (🡪). 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 2 3 4 5 6
Eats leafy Takes a Eats processed Eats fast food Diet lacks iron and High sodium diet
ROLL green multivitamin food and snacks once a week (A- calcium (A-16)
🡪 vegetables every day (A-22) every day (M-8) 16) (M-22)
once a week
(M-16)
Grows up in Grows up in Grows up in NYC Grows up in Grows up in Grows up in Maine
ROLL Florida (M- 3) Montana (A- 3) (M- 4) Texas (M- 3) Chicago (M- 4) (A- 3)
🡪
Plays on soccer Lays on bed after Free time is Plays basketball Goes hard in gym Just does
team school and devoted to video after school with class every day homework after
ROLL (2M- 21) stares at phone games alone friends (M- 21) school
🡪 (A- 4) (A- 4) (M- 21) (A- 11)
Never drinks or Starts vaping in Tried alcohol once Develops Never drinks or Never drinks or
ROLL smokes high school (3M- in high school (M- addiction at smokes (A- 19) smokes (A-19)
🡪 (A- 19) 17) 17) young age (4M-
17)
Involved with Doesn’t have Busy with school Has a big family Used to have Social in school,
clubs and many friends, work, hangs out and spends lots friends, but they all likes school, feels
ROLL teams feels lonely (2M- with friends on the of time with changed. Now you happy at school
🡪 (A- 13) 13) weekend cousins, etc. have none (3A- 13)
(A- 13) (M- 13) (2M- 13)
Sleeps 8 hours Sleeps 5-6 hours Sleeps 8 hours a Sleeps 8 hours a Sleeps 5-6 hours a Sleeps 5-6 hours a
ROLL a night (M- 5) a night (3A- 4) night (M- 5) night (M- 5) night (3A- 4) night (3A- 4)
🡪
Hates job; Hates job; High income; Works 70+ hours Job is chill, but you Can’t stand co-
ROLL miserable financially you’re the boss a week wish you made workers; job is
🡪 going to work stressed (2M- 10) (A-11) more money (M- stressful
(3A- 11) (3A- 11) 10) (3A-11)
Has an Does not drink Has a few beers or Works all week; Goes out for happy Does not drink
occasional glass (2A- 18) glasses of wine drinks all hour every now (2A- 18)
ROLL of wine with after work every weekend and then
🡪 dinner day (2M- 8) (M- 6)
(A- 18) (2M- 8)
Hasn’t been Jogs Joins a gym but Takes gym Walks to work 1 hour of exercise
active since (M- 21) never goes classes once or (M- 21) 5x per week
ROLL high school (A- 4) twice a week (3M- 21)
🡪 (2A- 4) (M- 21)
High school Ph.D Graduated college Graduated College + Master’s Graduated college
ROLL education only college degree
🡪 (A-5) (2A-5)
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?
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Why is knowledge about epigenetics important? Use what you’ve learned from this activity and the videos
we’ve watched to explain your answer.
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Explain how epigenetics influences gene expression. Discuss both methyl chemical markers and acetyl chemical
markers.
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Explain what epigenetics has to do with the development of an embryo.
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Explain what gene expression means.
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