Question 1

In 1859, who published Origin of Species, a seminal book that became the foundation for the modern science of genetic evolution, sociobiology, human behavioral ecology, and evolutionary psychology, among others?

Accepted Answer

Charles Darwin published "On the Origin of Species" in 1859, which laid the groundwork for the theory of evolution by natural selection.

Question 2

Which process blocks the transcription (copying) process, "turning off" expression of that gene?

Accepted Answer

DNA methylation involves the addition of a methyl group to DNA, typically at cytosine bases, which can block transcription factors from binding to the DNA, thereby "turning off" gene expression.

Question 3

Which process is not so much an "off-on" process as it is like a dimmer switch?

Accepted Answer

Histone modification is often compared to a dimmer switch because it can finely tune the level of gene expression, rather than simply turning it on or off.

Question 4

The key for which of the following is that a wide range of environmental factors, from many layers of a person's social ecology, can affect DNA methylation/demethylation and histone modification for specific genes as part of the process of translation and transcription?

Accepted Answer

Epigenetics is the study of changes in gene expression that do not involve alterations to the underlying DNA sequence, often influenced by environmental factors, affecting DNA methylation and histone modification.

Question 5

Health disparities tend to occur in clusters, considered which type of phenomena?

Accepted Answer

Syndemic phenomena refer to the clustering of two or more health conditions that interact synergistically, often exacerbated by social and environmental factors, leading to health disparities.

Question 6

Although changes resulting from epigenetic mechanisms can persist and may even be inherited, some of these changes can be reversed, known as:

Accepted Answer

Epigenetic changes can be reversed, which is referred to as plasticity. This term describes the ability of epigenetic marks to be modified in response to environmental factors or during different stages of development.

Question 7

Changes resulting from epigenetic mechanisms can persist and may even be inherited-passed on to the next generation.

Accepted Answer

Epigenetic changes can alter gene expression without changing the DNA sequence and can be stable enough to be passed on to offspring, affecting traits in the next generation.

Question 8

Histones have "tails" capable of receiving signals that can either loosen up the packed DNA strands, making them more available for copying, or keep them wrapped up tightly and thus less available for copying.

Accepted Answer

Histone tails can undergo post-translational modifications, such as acetylation or methylation, which influence chromatin structure and gene expression by altering DNA accessibility.

Question 9

It is probably the case that all epigenetic changes are reversible.

Accepted Answer

Not all epigenetic changes are reversible; some can be stable and persist through cell divisions or even across generations.

Question 10

Health disparity communities and populations are exposed to higher levels of the kinds of environmental factors that produce epigenetic changes associated with health risk.

Accepted Answer

Health disparity communities often face greater exposure to environmental stressors such as pollution, poor nutrition, and limited access to healthcare, which can lead to epigenetic changes that increase health risks.

Quiz 8: The New Frontier - Behavioral Epigenetics or How Nurture