The role of epigenetics in human evolution
Alexander Osborne
Bioscience Horizons: The International Journal of Student Research, Volume 10, 1 January 2017, hzx007, https://doi.org/10.1093/biohorizons/hzx007
Published: 28 July 2017 Article history
Received: 25 July 2016 Revision Received: 20 June 2017
Accepted: 10 July 2017
Source/Fonte: David Krantz
Abstract
This review aims to highlight the key areas in which changes to the epigenome have played an important role in the evolution and development of our species. Firstly, there will be a brief introduction into the topic of epigenetics to outline the current understanding of the subject and inform the reader of the basic mechanisms and functions of the epigenome. This will lead on to more focussed detail on the role played by epigenetic changes in the rapid evolution of our species and emergence from our ancestor species, as well as the Human Accelerated Regions that played a role in this. The discussion highlights how epigenetics has helped and hindered our species’ development via changes to the epigenome in more modern times, discussing case examples of documented instances where it is shown that epigenetics has played a role in the evolution of humanity.
epigenetics, evolution, human, methylation, HARs, modification
Issue Section: Review Article
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