The forum this week will focus on epigenetics and how epigenetic
differences can result in vastly different phenotypes for animals
that are genetically identical. Read the following article Obesity,
Epigenetics, and Gene Regulation (
http://www.nature.com/scitable/topicpage/obesity-epigenetics-and-gene-regulation-927)  and
answer the questions that follow.

1. What is meant by an epigenetic difference?

2. In agouti mice, how does bisphenol affect the epigenome?

3. How do you explain the pleiotropic effect of the agouti gene
on both coloration and body type?    
                          

4. What implications might the agouti results have concerning
prenatal care and diet in humans?