Chili Montian

Advanced Biology : Group B

Mr. Andrew James Filipczak

13/12/2016

Nicotine and Epigenetic Alterations

Background
Epigenetic
Epigenetic is the study of changes in gene expression that does not involve
changes of the underlying DNA sequence, or in a simple words its can mean a change in
phenotype (the physical traits that shown based on the combination of the genes) without
a change in genotype (the inherited genetic makeup of cell), which in turn affects how cells
read the genes. Three systems including DNA methylation, histone modification and noncoding RNA (ncRNA)-associated gene silencing are currently considered to initiate and
sustain epigenetic change.
Epigenetic change is a regular and natural occurrence but it can also be influenced
by several factors such as ages, environment/lifestyle, and disease state. Epigenetic
change which cell terminally differentiate to end up as skin cells, liver cells, brain cells, etc.
Or the epigenetic can cause more damaging which will result in diseases like cancer.
Nicotine
Nicotine is a nitrogen-containing chemical, which is made by several types of
plants, including the tobacco plant. This Nicotine are contain in cigarettes, and it is the
drug that makes cigarettes addictive.

Chili Montian
Advanced Biology : Group B
Mr. Andrew James Filipczak

13/12/2016

Experiment
Question
We all know smoking damages the body, but is it true that Nicotine which are
contain in a cigarette can influence our genetic makeup as well? or can it cause epigenetic
alterations and result as disease such as cancer?
Purpose
The objective of this experiment is to prove whether or not epigenetic alterations
can influenced by the drug called Nicotine. Also, to identify whether or not they are
depends on other factors such as the environment and diet.
Hypothesis
If the person who smoke cigarette or consume lots amount of Nicotine, then that
person will get more risk of a cancer.
Elements of the experiments
Dependent variable : Cancer
Independent variable : Smoke the cigarette.
Control group : Same age of people lives in the same environment and having the same
diet.
Procedure
1. Take 50 people who does not have any disease or have the ancestor who has been
reported to have it.
2. Take a survey of their family whether or not their family smoke the cigarette.
3. Divide the people into two group. One group of 25 people will smoke the cigarette and
another 25 will not.
4. All of the 50 people must live in the same environment and having the same diet to get
the accurate result.

Factor / 50 People

Group A (25)

Group B (25)

Cigarette

smoke

not smoke

Environment

same

same

Diet

same

same

Chili Montian
Advanced Biology : Group B
Mr. Andrew James Filipczak

13/12/2016

5. Record the result and calculate the percentage of the people who get or didnt get a
cancer after smoke the cigarette for some time. Also, classify the people who got a
cancer from smoke and the people who got a cancer but did not smoke.
6. Take the DNA samples of the people in each group of the experiment and test it by
comparing it with the DNA from the people that have normal genes.
7. Analysis the result and see whether it is support the hypothesis.

Implications
From the result of this experiment, after being able to test the hypothesis, to know
whether or not Nicotine can cause epigenetic alterations and which genes are coding for
the disease including cancer. Therefore, in the future, it may be possible to have a
treatment or effective medicine to cure this kind of disease.

Chili Montian
Advanced Biology : Group B
Mr. Andrew James Filipczak

13/12/2016

Bibliography
(n.d.). Epigenetics: Fundamentals. Retrieved from
http://www.whatisepigenetics.com/fundamentals/
(n.d.). Medical News Today. Retrieved from
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/240820.php
(n.d.). How Smoking Changes Your Genes. Retrieved from
http://www.medicaldaily.com/how-smoking-changes-your-genes-cigarettes-linkedepigenetic-alterations-265265