Epigenome

The Epigenome Learns From Its Experiences

Epigenetic tags are a collection of signals received throughout the lifetime, that change how the genome is read to switch genes on or off
A growing fetus is receiving these signals, which are recorded on the Epigenome. This can change the epigenome even before birth.
Changes in our environment can send signals that can impact our epigenetic makeup.
Signals can come from in the cell, from neighboring cells, or from the outside world.
Signals can be transferred directly and indirectly.
In development, signals are normally from within a cell or neighboring cells, or even passed through the mother.
Throughout life, signals come from social interactions, physical activity, and diet can all play a role, and many other factors play in, too.
Hormones play a big part in signals during this time in life.
Even in later life, signals are still being recorded, such as the repair of skin or blood cells, or organs in the body.


Epigenetics and Inheritance

Epigenetic tags can be inherited from parents, through a process known as epigenetic inheritance.
This means that a parent's experiences can affect later generations.
For an organism to grow and for the cells to develop into all the different cell types in the body, it's epigenome must be erased through "reprogramming."
At certain times throughout development, specialized "cell machinery" runs through the epigenomic tags and erases them so the embryo can develop correctly. However, some tags make it through and affect the organism.
To prove that epigenetics exist, a few things must be affirmed.
Mutations are difficult to find in larger genomes, but to prove epigenetic inheritance, there can be no first-time mutations in an organism under study.
It must be proved that the epigenetic changes can pass down through generations.
Another factor that makes epigenetic inheritance difficult to prove is the fact that a change induced by environmental factors can be reversed if the factors are changed again.
Epigenetic inheritance means that an organism continually change its gene expression to better fit its environment, while never changing its DNA.