Epigenetics refers to the study of changes in gene expression or function that occur without any alteration to the underlying DNA sequence. These changes expression can be heritable and can have an impact on an individual’s development, health, and disease risk.

Epigenetic modifications can occur through several mechanisms, including DNA methylation and acythylation, histone modification, and RNA-mediated regulation. These mechanisms can influence how genes are expressed, which can affect the function of cells, tissues, and organs in the body.

One of the key features of epigenetics is that it can provide a mechanism for the environment to influence gene expression. For example, environmental factors such as diet, exercise, stress, and exposure to toxins can all influence epigenetic modifications.
Epigenetic modifications can also occur during development and can be passed down from one generation to the next. This has led to interest in the role of epigenetics in intergenerational inheritance and the potential impact of environmental exposures on future generations.

Overall, the study of epigenetics has important implications for our understanding of human health and disease, as well as for the development of new therapeutic strategies.