The transmission of changes in gene activity to a subsequent generation that does not involve alterations in the structure of DNA or the genome per se is called:

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The definition given in the question fits that of epigenetics, which refers to changes in gene expression that are heritable but do not involve changes in the DNA sequence itself. Heritability (choice A) is a broader concept encompassing the degree to which traits are passed from parents to offspring, which can involve genetic, environmental, and epigenetic factors. Cellular memory (choice B) is a phenomenon whereby cells retain a memory of their previous state of differentiation or activation, but it is not the same as epigenetics. Optogenetics (choice C) is a method that combines genetic and light-based techniques to control the activity of neurons, and is not directly related to heritability or epigenetics.

The Transmission of Changes in Gene Activity to a Subsequent