epigenetics
Say it: ep-ih-juh-NET-iks /ˌɛpɪdʒɪˈnɛtɪks/ · noun
What “epigenetics” means
Studying changes in gene activity without changing the DNA itself.
More precisely: The study of how behaviour and environment switch genes on or off without changing the DNA itself.
Example: “Epigenetics suggests that diet and stress can influence how your genes are expressed.”
When to use it
In biology or careful health discussions, for studying how chemical changes regulate gene activity without rewriting the DNA sequence.
Similar words
gene regulation, gene expression
Quick check
Researchers study how environmental conditions add chemical tags that alter gene activity while leaving the DNA sequence unchanged. That's…
genetic engineering or epigenetics?
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epigenetics
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