PSYC23H3 Chapter Notes - Chapter 3: Lead Paint, Parental Leave, Bisphenol A
Document Summary
Early experiences can alter gene expression and affect long term development. Environmental influences can actually affect whether and how genes are expressed. Early experiences can determine how genes are turned on and off. The experiences children have in early life and the environments in which they have them shape their developing brain architecture and strongly affect whether they grow up to be healthy, productive members of society. Certain experiences can also cause enduring epigenetic modifications in hundreds of genes that have already been identified, and the list is growing. Nutritional status, exposure to toxins and drugs, and the experiences of interacting with varied e(cid:374)(cid:448)iro(cid:374)(cid:373)e(cid:374)ts (cid:272)a(cid:374) all (cid:373)odify a(cid:374) i(cid:374)di(cid:448)idual"s epige(cid:374)o(cid:373)e. Supportive environments and rich learning experiences generate positive epigenetic signatures that activate genetic potential. Healthy development of all organs, including the brain, depends on how much and when certain genes are expressed.
