Cell Biology (BIOL 293)

The Cell Biology (BIOL 293) course has deepened my understanding of all fundamental biology topics I have learned throughout my college career as a Marine Biology student. One concept that helped me connect cell biology to my interests is epigenetics. Learning about the specific mechanisms behind the regulation of gene expression without the inherent need for change in the DNA sequence, such as DNA methylation and histone modification, has given me a molecular framework for a concept I had only previously encountered superficially. Epigenetics is a crucial topic in marine ecology and evolutionary biology; shifts in abiotic factors of ocean ecosystems can change gene expression in marine species that can directly affect their survival, reproduction, and ecological productivity. Some epigenetic modifications can impact multiple generations in a lineage. Although molecular biology is distant from my personal interests, studying cell biology has expanded my knowledge base in a way which will support my growth as a marine biology student.