Epigenetics
📋 What it is
Genes can be switched on or off; epigenetics studies these controls, some shaped by environment.
🗣️ Coach says
Having a gene isn’t enough — it must be “expressed” (turned on) to do anything. Epigenetics studies the switches that turn genes on and off, and some switches respond to environment (diet, stress). So the same DNA can behave differently — nature AND nurture, right down to the gene.
🧠 Memory hook
Genes have on/off switches (gene expression). Environment can flip them — epigenetics.
😂 Giggle
What do you call a gene that controls your sense of humor?
The fun-ction gene!
😲 Whoa!
Identical twins with the SAME DNA can develop different traits because their genes get switched on and off differently over life — epigenetics in action.
✅ Quick check: Why can two organisms with identical DNA end up different?
Say your answer out loud first — then reveal.
Because genes can be switched on or off differently (gene expression / epigenetics), often influenced by environment.
Which genes are expressed, not just which genes exist, shapes the organism.
🧪 Try it! (2 minutes)
Think of a light with a dimmer. The gene is the bulb; expression is the dimmer setting — same bulb, different brightness.