Chapter 5: Neural Development, Neuroplasticity, and Recovery of Function
Epigenetics are something we have been discussing since the beginning of the semester but we had not really gone into depth into the topic until now. It was by far the most interesting part of the chapter for me because I grew up through the school system with the mentality that changes only took course over several generations. Epigenetics is about how things like starvation or abundant food, high-licking rodent mothers, or even extreme stress can have long-term effects on descendant children. How is this possible? DNA methylation and Histone Acetylation (a remodeling mechanism). Epigenetics may be in place to help speed up the process of changing the DNA code which is necessary in a quick and ever-changing environment.
I also enjoyed the part about epigenetics. I remember going over it briefly in child development, but it was nice to hear a little bit more about it, I found it especially interesting how alternating between famine and abundance can effect the lifespan of grandchildren later on.
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