how and if our DNA can change throughout our life.
In: Biology
Your DNA changes all the time. Transcription errors, ionizing radiation, mutagens, and other environmental factors will all bugger up individual strands.
Retroviruses will actually copy their genetic material into your DNA and the human genome is littered with their genetic remnants.
Telomeres are basically little tails that protect the end bits of your DNA strands, and they shorten with every cellular replication. When they get too short the ends of your DNA get frayed and the cell it’s in will stop functioning properly.
Genes can also get permanently turned off in response to various stimuli through a process called methylation. If this occurs in a sperm or egg cell, then the methylation can be passed on to subsequent offspring.
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