Epigenetics is the study of changes in organisms that are caused by a modification of gene expression instead of alteration of the genetic code itself. In 1942 epigenetics was invented by C. H. Waddington as a portmanteau of the words epigenesist and genetics. It is an old word recently used to describe the differentiation of cells from their initial totipotent state in embryonic development. In the 1950s a series of experiments were conducted and used to help convince Waddington's colleagues that genes weren't lost during development (Pennesi, 2001). Epigenetic changes modify the activation of certain genes, but not the sequence of DNA. The chromatin proteins associated with DNA may be activated or silenced. These changes are preserved when …show more content…
For example, while talking to my father about his health conditions based of the worksheet, he confessed to me that he had been dealing with depression for a period of time. That came as a shock to me because he had never told me anything about his condition. Another shocking realization I made while doing this worksheet was when I spoke to my grandma and she told me she had high blood pressure or hypertension. Completing this worksheet realize how little I knew about my family’s health back ground and the conditions my family members are being faced with right now. It was also a surprisingly realization that I should take in consideration as I get order in case I could inherit any of these conditions from my family. One thing I forgot to include and take note of while doing this worksheet was the fact that my grandpa had lung cancer. Unfortunately like most cases by the time he was diagnosed it was too late to cure it. He was already of old age but he was healthy for his age other than the fact that he smoked cigarettes for a long time. However, after so many years it took a toll on him. He tried to stop many times, but no matter what the damage to his body was already done. The reason why I am talking about this is because my dad is also a big smoker just like his father if not maybe worse. I lose track of how many he smokes a day and how many packs he buys a month. Just like my grandfather he has tried to stop a countless number of times but none of the methods have worked for him. Although that is not a hereditary condition he was impacted by it, and he could end up the same way. I tell him all the time to stop and to remember all the damage it did to his dad but it hasn’t worked. I realize it’s a hard thing to give up, which is why it’s such a big concern in this country. I don’t think people are as informed as they should be about