How Early Experiences Alter Gene Expression and Shape Development

The Epigenome Determines How Genes
Are Expressed

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Inside the nucleus of each cell in our bodies are CHROMOSOMES, which contain the code for characteristics that pass to the next generation. Within the chromosomes, long, double-helix strands of DNA are made up of specific segments of genetic code, known as GENES. The DNA strands wrap around protein "spools," which play an important role in determining whether the cell can “read” the code embedded within the DNA. Children inherit approximately 23,000 genes from their parents, and together they determine the boundaries of what’s possible for each child. But not every gene does what it was designed to do. Experiences leave a chemical “signature” on the genes which determines whether and how the genes are expressed. Collectively, those signatures are called the EPIGENOME.