Epigenetics

Definition Epigenetics is a broad and comprehensive biological discipline that deals with genetic functions that go beyond the mere sequencing of DNA bases. The genetic material consists primarily of DNA strands that are formed from differently arranged base pairs. In every human being there are differences in the order of the base pairs, which in … Epigenetics

Examples of epigenetics | Epigenetics

Examples of epigenetics Epigenetic examples can be observed in every person in old age. Many diseases are nowadays attributed to epigenetic changes, among other things. A typical example of visible epigenetics is the so-called “X-inactivation”. Here, an X chromosome is completely silenced by epigenetic processes. This mainly affects women who have two X chromosomes. One … Examples of epigenetics | Epigenetics

What role does epigenetics play in depression? | Epigenetics

What role does epigenetics play in depression? Epigenetics plays a particularly important role in the development of psychiatric diseases. The activation and inactivation of certain gene sequences can lead to diseases such as depression and schizophrenia. Age and environmental factors that lead to altered epigenetic processes are probably also responsible for this. Mental diseases are … What role does epigenetics play in depression? | Epigenetics

Chromatin

Definition Chromatin is the structure in which the DNA, i.e. the genetic information, is packed. Chromatin consists on the one hand of DNA and on the other hand of various proteins. The function of chromatin is the tight packaging of the DNA. This packaging is necessary because the DNA as such would be much too … Chromatin

Histones: Structure, Function & Diseases

Histones are a component of cell nuclei. Their presence is a distinguishing feature between unicellular organisms (bacteria) and multicellular organisms (humans, animals, or plants). Only a very few bacterial strains possess proteins that are similar to histones. Evolution has produced histones in order to better and more effectively accommodate the very long DNA chain, also … Histones: Structure, Function & Diseases

Nucleosome: Structure, Function & Diseases

A nucleosome represents the smallest packaging unit of a chromosome. Together with linker protein and linker DNA, nucleosomes are part of chromatin, the material that makes up chromosomes. Autoimmune diseases of the rheumatic circle may develop in association with antibodies to nucleosomes. What is a nucleosome? Nucleosomes are composed of DNA wound around an octamer … Nucleosome: Structure, Function & Diseases