What is the definition of “epigenetics” in the context of gene regulation?
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Correct answer: Heritable changes in gene expression not involving DNA sequence change
Epigenetics refers to stable, heritable changes in gene expression without changes in the underlying DNA sequence, typically via chemical modifications to DNA or chromatin that modulate accessibility.
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More Gene Regulation and Epigenetics questions
- Which chemical modification of DNA is most commonly involved in gene silencing when present in promoter CpG islands?
- Which family of enzymes is directly responsible for adding methyl groups to DNA during establishment of DNA methylation patterns?
- Which of the following histone modifications is generally associated with opening chromatin and activating transcription?
- Which histone modification is often correlated with transcriptional repression and formation of heterochromatin?
- Which non–DNA-altering mechanism can regulate gene expression post-transcriptionally in epigenetic control?
- Which statement best describes how epigenetic modifications influence chromatin structure and gene expression?