Genes Can Be Switched on or Off, or Silenced or Promoted

Question

Genes can be switched on or off, or silenced or promoted, by:
A) the agouti gene
B) natural selection
C) the 'gene-gift' phenomenon
D) RNA passivity
E) the environment via the epigenome

Accepted Answer

Genes can be influenced by the environment through a process called epigenetics. Epigenetic modifications can turn genes on or off, or enhance or suppress their expression, without changing the underlying DNA sequence. The epigenome can be altered by various environmental factors, such as nutrition, stress, toxins, and exposure to certain chemicals or pollutants. These epigenetic changes can affect an individual's susceptibility to diseases or their ability to adapt to different environments.