#Genetic Inheritance

[gregor-samsung]

Birthmarked (Emanuel Hoss-Desmarais, 2018)

[science-sculpt]

Epigenetics: A Journey Through Inheritance Beyond Genes

For centuries, scientists have been fascinated by the mysteries of heredity and how traits are passed down from generation to generation. DNA, the molecule that stores our genetic code, was once thought to be the sole determinant of our characteristics. However, a new frontier in biology, revealing a captivating layer of complexity beyond the DNA sequence itself: Epigenetics.

What is Epigenetics?

The term "epigenetics" was first coined in the 1940s by British biologist Conrad Waddington, but it wasn't until the late 20th century that its significance truly blossomed. Epigenetics, literally meaning "above genetics," refers to the study of heritable changes in gene expression that occur without alterations to the DNA sequence itself. Imagine DNA as the musical score, but epigenetics are the conductor and musicians who determine how the music is played. Through chemical modifications and adjustments to the proteins around DNA, epigenetics dictates which genes are turned on or off, influencing how cells function and ultimately shaping our health, development, and even behavior. Think of your DNA as the hardware: it contains the basic instructions for building and running your body. But epigenetics acts like the software, fine-tuning those instructions and determining which genes get turned on or off at specific times and in specific cells. These modifications, like chemical tags or changes in the packaging of DNA, don't alter the underlying code itself, but they can have a profound impact on how it's read and interpreted.

The Key Players:

DNA methylation: This process involves adding a methyl group to DNA, essentially silencing the gene it's attached to. Imagine it like putting a dimmer switch on a light bulb.

Histone modifications: Histones are proteins that package DNA, and changes in their structure can make genes more or less accessible to the cellular machinery needed for expression. Think of it like adjusting the curtains around a window - open wide for full light, slightly closed for filtered light.

Non-coding RNAs: These are molecules that don't code for proteins but can regulate gene expression in various ways. They're like the backstage crew in a play, ensuring everything runs smoothly.

The Power of Epigenetic Regulation

Epigenetic regulation plays a crucial role in various biological processes, including:

Development: During embryonic development, different cell types emerge from the same DNA blueprint by activating or silencing specific gene sets through epigenetic modifications.

Cellular differentiation: Specialized cells like muscle or nerve cells have unique functions due to differences in their active genes, controlled by epigenetic mechanisms.

Learning and memory: Epigenetic changes in brain cells are thought to be essential for learning and forming memories.

Aging: As we age, our epigenome accumulates changes that can contribute to age-related decline and disease.

Environmental influences: Diet, exercise, stress, and exposure to toxins can leave epigenetic marks on our genes, potentially impacting our health and even the health of future generations.

Epigenetics reminds us that we are not simply products of our genes. Our environment, choices, and experiences leave their mark, shaping who we are and potentially influencing our children's health. This deeper understanding of ourselves opens doors for self-awareness, empowerment, and potentially reshaping our narratives – not just as individuals, but as a species with the potential to leave a healthier legacy for generations to come.

[omg-snakes]

you mentioned previously that sunglow amels are no longer a thing because of bad breeders- can you expand on this? thanks, snake noob (snoob)

Hello friend!

The shortest possible (grossly oversimplified for brevity) answer is that there are two pathways by which notable color morphs in corn snakes can occur: genetic mutation and selective breeding to enhance natural variation. Mutation is when a specific gene affects one or more specific pigments in a snake's cells. Amelanism is a really great example since it's a simple recessive gene. If the correct genetic "switches" are flipped in a snake's DNA, then the snake has no melanin and is therefore red, orange, yellow, and white with no black pigment. It's a true/false scenario.

The other color morph pathway is selective breeding, where many incomplete dominant genes are at play simultaneously, and the snakes that display the most desired traits are bred to amplify those traits. There's always natural variation among offspring, even if they have the same phenotype. Two amelanistic snakes from the same clutch might look a bit different even though both are definitely Amels.

Think of it like you have a garden full of pink flowers, and some of them are slightly, slightly more pink tinging on red. You decide to put the reddest-flowered plants together and only plant their seeds next season, and then choose the reddest-flowered offspring for the season after that, and so on until you have all red flowers!

Several popular morphs and all of the locality morphs are the result of this type of selective breeding. Unfortunately, these do require conscious and intentional breeding to maintain the look of these lines. Since they're not "on/off" genes, there are no heterozygous individuals and a selectively bred morph won't "pop up" suddenly by surprise in a clutch the way recessive gene mutations sometimes do.

Sunglow Amel is noteworthy for super bright orange coloration with low contrast, high saturation, and absent saddle borders. You can outcross a Sunglow (or any selectively-bred morph, they don't have to be inbred), but you'd need to choose snakes with bright color and minimal borders and then breed those back into the line or it'll basically undo the work of all previous selection. To go back to our garden analogy, if you took one of the red flowers you'd worked so hard to develop and pollinated them repeatedly over generations with the original pink-flowered plants, you'd get less and less red and eventually regular pink flowers.

Reverse Okeetee is another selectively-bred Amel morph, which focuses on bold, thick saddle borders and high saddle to background color contrast. Think of these like white flowers that were selectively-bred from the pink flowers in our garden.

So what happens if you breed a Sunglow Amel with low contrast and no borders (red flower) and a Reverse Okeetee with high contrast and thick borders (white flower)?

You get something in the middle: an average Amel (original normal pink flower).

A bad breeder who doesn't understand inheritance or genetics might do this exact thing and try to sell their regular Amels as "het Sunglow, het Okeetee."

I have literally seen these for sale recently.

[lilyminer]

Learning about genetics has helped me so much.

Not only am I finally getting to learn the fascinating advanced biology of biological sex (once the info passes my fact checked anti-intersexism checkpoint I had to invest a bit of extra research time into of course) that everyone likes bringing up isn’t nearly as simple as high school would have you believe. But I also get to look at my family and track traits between different people!

For instance at some point I fully realized how improbable and actually fucking amazing it is that both me and my older sister have nearly identical facial features. Because you gotta understand, neither me or my sister look particularly similar to either of our parents or anyone in the extended family tree. And our other two siblings have their own unique combinations of facial features of course. But me and my older sister were regular confused for identical twins throughout our tween and early teenage years. Every single teacher I had who also taught my older sister would need a month minimum before they stopped accidentally calling me my sisters name.

So you get the idea. Obviously it would be easier to show you but not planning on fucking with my sister’s privacy so just imagine two girls who look nearly identical. Of course my sister now wears makeup everyday and I wear makeup never so we got that to distinguish us now lol.

But in my genetics class it dawned on me that for that to be possible, probably over a hundred genes needed to be inherited by two separate zygotes in similar, if not the exact same way. Obviously just because our faces look similar probably doesn’t mean our genes followed the exact same steps to get there. But hey! It’s really god damn cool that some siblings can look super different and some can metaphorically pull the same hand of cards!

[hayadan]

Can We Control Genetic Inheritance? New RNA Research Opens Doors to Possibilities

Researchers at the University of Maryland uncover new pathways for double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) to enter cells, offering insights into gene regulation across generations and advancements in RNA-based drugs.

RNA-based drugs, such as the widely successful RNA vaccines and emerging double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) therapies, represent a groundbreaking approach to combating human diseases. However, a critical challenge remains: efficiently delivering these RNA molecules into cells.

A recent study published in eLife on February 4, 2025, may pave the way for revolutionary developments in RNA therapeutics. Using C. elegans (microscopic roundworms) as a model, researchers at the University of Maryland uncovered natural pathways for dsRNA to enter cells, revealing how RNA can influence gene regulation across multiple generations.

How RNA Shapes Inheritance

"Our findings challenge prior assumptions about RNA transfer," said Antony Jose, lead researcher and associate professor of cell biology and molecular genetics. "We discovered that RNA molecules can transmit specific instructions not just between cells, but also across generations, redefining our understanding of heredity."

A key player in this process is a protein called SID-1, which acts as a gatekeeper for dsRNA transmission. When the researchers removed SID-1, they observed enhanced gene expression changes in the worms, which were passed down for over 100 generations. Remarkably, these changes persisted even after SID-1 was reintroduced.

Implications for Human Medicine

"Proteins like SID-1 are found in humans and other animals," noted Jose. "By understanding its role, we could develop more targeted RNA-based treatments for diseases and potentially influence the inheritance of specific conditions."

The researchers also identified a gene called sdg-1, which regulates "jumping genes"—DNA sequences capable of moving to different chromosome locations. While these genes can introduce beneficial genetic variations, they often disrupt sequences and cause diseases. The team found that sdg-1 helps control the movement of jumping genes, maintaining genetic stability through a self-regulatory loop.

"It's like a thermostat balancing temperature," Jose explained. "The system allows some genetic 'jumping' for flexibility but prevents excessive movement that could harm the organism."

A Future of RNA-Driven Innovation

These findings provide valuable insights into how organisms regulate genes and maintain stability across generations. The study opens possibilities for innovative treatments targeting inherited diseases and improving RNA drug delivery systems.

Next, the research team plans to explore mechanisms related to dsRNA transfer, the location of SID-1, and why some genes are regulated across generations while others are not.

"We’re just beginning to scratch the surface," said Jose. "This work is the foundation for understanding how external RNA can drive heritable changes, with profound implications for the design and delivery of RNA-based therapies."

Discover the full story behind RNA-Based Drugs read the complete article on Hayadan.com.

[orbisounds]

The Harmony of Genetic Inheritance, Mind, Intelligence, Wisdom, Simplici...

[chiokedmachi]

The Awakening of Kalon Dmachi: A Tale of Power, Betrayal, and Love in 2050

Kalon Dmachi In the year 2050, the world has changed, but power and secrecy still rule the shadows. Kalon Dmachi, born from one of the most powerful bloodlines known to history, is a man whose very existence defies comprehension. As a Level Five psychic, Kalon possesses abilities that most would call godlike—he can read thoughts before they are formed, perceive emotions before they are felt, see…

[lemon-lime-behavior]

Choo choo I boarded the fankids train

[ecomehdi]

Maternal Allergies Unveiled: IU Groundbreaking Study on How They Impact Children 2023

Imagine a world where allergies don’t pass like an unwanted family heirloom. Well, guess what? Indiana University (IU) is taking the helm in unraveling the mystery of how Allergies from mothers might be impacting their little ones. In this article, we embark on a journey through the latest grant-funded study that promises to shed light on this age-old conundrum. Understanding the Allergy…

[breezybirdfarms]

Hatching Auto-Sexing Day-Old Heritage Chicks: The Role of Plumage in Sex Determination

Hatching auto-sexing day-old heritage chicks is an intriguing process that relies on the examination of plumage patterns to determine their sex. How plumage plays a vital role in sex determination and why alternative methods are ineffective for sexing day-old heritage chickens is to be unveiled.

Heritage Chicks and Auto-Sexing

Heritage chicks, offspring of traditional poultry breeds, possess historical significance and unique characteristics. Auto-sexing is a method that allows breeders to determine the sex of chicks soon after hatching by analyzing their visible plumage patterns. This approach eliminates the need for invasive procedures or time-consuming DNA testing.

Auto sexing Bielefelder chicks

Plumage Patterns and Sex Determination

The arrangement and coloring of feathers, known as plumage patterns, play a significant role in sex determination in auto-sexing chicks. Certain heritage breeds exhibit distinct and sex-specific plumage patterns, making it possible to differentiate between males and females from day one.

Genetic Inheritance and Plumage Patterns

The appearance of plumage patterns in heritage chicks is a result of genetic inheritance from their parents. Understanding the genetic principles behind these patterns is crucial for breeders to make informed decisions when selecting breeding pairs to enhance desirable traits in subsequent generations.

The Limitations of Sexing Day-Old Heritage Chickens

Sexing day-old heritage chickens using alternative methods, such as vent sexing or DNA testing, is challenging and often impractical. Vent sexing requires delicate and invasive procedures, while DNA testing is time-consuming and expensive. Auto-sexing through plumage patterns offers a reliable and non-invasive alternative for accurate sex determination.

Phenotypic Traits and Breed Conservation

Phenotypic traits, including plumage patterns, are observable characteristics that can be used to identify specific traits in heritage chicks. By focusing on auto-sexing and selecting individuals with desired plumage patterns, breeders contribute to the conservation and preservation of valuable heritage poultry breeds.

Sustainable Farming and Poultry Breeding

Hatching auto-sexing day-old heritage chicks plays a vital role in sustainable farming and poultry breeding practices. By understanding the role genetics plays in sex determination and utilizing auto-sexing techniques, breeders can optimize their breeding programs, maintain genetic diversity, and ensure the long-term sustainability of heritage poultry breeds.

Advantages of Auto-Sexing

Auto-sexing offers numerous advantages for breeders. It saves time, as the sex of chicks can be determined soon after hatching, allowing for efficient flock management. Additionally, breeders can selectively pair individuals based on desirable plumage patterns, enhancing the quality of the flock and breeding programs. It is advisable to use a no kill approach for any undesired chicks.

Promoting Genetic Diversity

Auto-sexing methods actively promote genetic diversity within heritage poultry breeds. By making informed decisions about breeding pairs based on plumage patterns, breeders can maintain a healthy gene pool, reducing the risk of inbreeding and preserving the unique traits of these cherished heritage breeds.

Hatching auto-sexing day-old heritage chicks through the examination of plumage patterns is a remarkable process that allows breeders to efficiently determine the sex of chicks and contribute to sustainable farming practices. By embracing this method and understanding the vital role plumage plays in sex determination, breeders can preserve the valuable heritage of poultry breeds for generations to come.

Candace Breezy Bird Farms

[canisalbus]

Hypothetically if. If they had a kiddo. A puppy. Does that hypothetical child have a design in your genius artist head anywhere

.

[valtsv]

i could get so much more done if i was less sleepy but unfortunately i have a terminal genetic case of teenager who thinks going to bed before midnight is for losers

[slayninjaslayyy]

Fun fact: Mitsuki and orochimaru both have widows peak hairlines :3

[er-cryptid]

Major Eukaryotic DNA Polymerases

Patreon

[orion-kenobi]

I don’t know why but something about archaeologist character Daniel Jackson having archaeologist parents who died in a museum accident and also an archaeologist grandfather is incredibly funny to me.

[askthefairlynormalparentsau]

For iris: is your hair naturally dark blue or do you dye it?

Iris: as much as I would love to have TWO Doctor-confounding genetic mutations, I must admit I do so look forward to our family root touch-ups- Mother and Father were delighted when I first requested to match them!