Table of contents:
- You cannot know someone by their genetic makeup alone
- How can the environment influence genes?
- What kind of environment can change genes?
Each individual has different genes and DNA, even though identical twins. Genetic differences are what make differences in physical, behavioral, affect bodily functions, and also the risk of disease. But still, genetics will change when it meets the environment.
You cannot know someone by their genetic makeup alone
Every human being has hundreds of types of cells, such as cells in the blood, kidneys, liver and heart. Every cell in the body - except red blood cells - has a cell nucleus containing DNA consisting of 20 thousand genes in one chain. Actually, every cell of the same type has the same DNA, but sometimes there are genes that are active and not in a cell. This is what differentiates the cells in the body.
DNA is the molecules that are owned by all individuals that determine genes, which then shape the body and affect bodily functions, and even affect the risk of developing a disease. And experts claim that the DNA and genes that are carried or passed down from your parents can be changed by the environment around you. Or you could say that genetics and DNA did not completely make you up, but the life and lifestyle you are living now has a great influence even on the DNA that should have been formed since you were in the womb.
Various studies have proven that many things can affect the genes in the body through various processes that have been mentioned earlier. One study conducted in 2005 and reported in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and metabolism showed that pregnant women who were victims of the 9/11 attacks at the World Trade Center, United States, had higher levels of stress hormones and then transferred the excessive hormone to the fetus that is being conceived.
How can the environment influence genes?
Various diseases arise due to the interaction of genes with the environment, each person produces different interactions, because genes and environmental factors are also different. Therefore, it is important to know how the environment can affect the genes that have been passed down from previous generations. Why two twins can experience different diseases even though they both have the same DNA and genes that are quite large. Here are the interactions between genes and the environment that can affect the life of an individual as a whole.
Mutagen. Mutagens are foreign substances from outside the body or the environment that enter the body and then change genes and DNA, for example chemicals from cigarettes that can cause cancer.
Interaction between genes. In the body, genes interact with each other to maintain normal bodily functions. However, when something that can affect genes enters the body, the interaction will be disrupted. For example, people who drink alcohol too often and cause changes in gene function.
Transcription factors. Transcription is a process in which DNA is copied and converted into RNA which is then used as a "letter of assignment" given to various cells to carry out its functions. In this process, protein is needed for the manufacture of RNA. This process is also vulnerable to disturbances that may come from outside the body or the environment. Like people who are under stress. Stressful conditions can change the levels of protein the body needs for the transcription process. This of course will change the "assignment letter" created by DNA.
Epigenetic. The epigenetic process is a process in which the environment can affect the amount of protein. Proteins not only function as tissue formation, but at the DNA level proteins play an important role in making a gene active or not. For example, when a person has a cancer gene that is caused by heredity, the gene may or may not be active. It depends on how big the environmental exposure is to activate it.
What kind of environment can change genes?
An environment that affects genes is an environment that is not good for overall health, for example, too high polluting substances, cigarette smoke, or even smoking habits can affect the formation of genes. Not only that, unhealthy eating behavior is also thought to affect gene expression in the body. Therefore, having a healthy lifestyle is not only good for your health but will affect your genes and your future offspring.
