Question

Epigenetics is the term used to describe the system by which

a)
dominant genes overpower recessive genes and do not allow them to be expressed.


b)
genes can be turned on or silenced by different environmental experiences.


c)
we use gene therapy to modify genes that are potentially harmful.


d)
genes that were not deeply canalized become deeply canalized.

Answer 1

B? I recall my bio teacher briefly mentioning this, however she didnt go into detail.

Answer 2

It is B. Epigenetics. Epi means above, or beyond, so beyond genetics. The broad definiton of epigenetics is "the study of changes in organisms caused by modification of gene expression rather than alteration of the genetic code itself."

Remember you have the genes from your parents but these genes are used to make proteins. You can switch the genes on or off to change the rate of protein production.
This is called epigenetics and environmental factors, rather than genetic code affect these. This is a way to adapt to different conditions. For example, if you take two monozygotic twins (who have the same DNA) but you put one in say tropical Sahara desert, and the other one in say, New York, the DNA will match. However their epigenetic profile will be different because you have some genes turned on or off to manage the Saharan conditions (heat, moisture levels, and in New York genes that are affected by the diet etc.

Interestingly, some of this might be heritable.

Answer 3

h