Epigenetic regulation

Epigenetic regulation refers to changes in gene activity that do not involve alterations to the underlying DNA sequence. Instead, it involves chemical modifications that can turn genes on or off, influencing how cells read those genes. These changes can be triggered by various factors, such as environment, diet, and stress, and can be temporary or long-lasting. Importantly, epigenetic changes can be inherited, meaning they can affect future generations without altering their DNA. This mechanism helps explain how identical genes can lead to different traits in different environments.