Two identical twins who showed very similar methylation patterns when they were 4 years old show very divergent patterns at age 40.This divergence is most likely due to
A) different genomic imprinting in the two individuals.
B) different alternative splicing in the two individuals.
C) environmental differences that they experienced as adults.
D) different levels of histone acetyltransferase in the two individuals.
E) differences in their experiences in utero.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The fact that the twins showed very similar methylation patterns at the age of 4, but very divergent patterns at the age of 40, strongly suggests that environmental factors played a role in the divergence. It is unlikely that genomic imprinting, alternative splicing, or histone acetyltransferase levels would change to such a degree over time to cause such a divergence. The in utero experiences of the twins may also have played a role, but it is less likely than postnatal environmental factors given the time scale of the divergence.

Two Identical Twins Who Showed Very Similar Methylation Patterns When