AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Gene expression can be altered by environmental factors such as food, drugs or exposure to toxins, according to Duke Magazine. These changes can range from small to so significant that certain genes in our system can be turned off or on when they are supposed to be the opposite way.

Detailed explanation-2: -Positive experiences, such as exposure to rich learning opportunities, and negative influences, such as malnutrition or environmental toxins, can change the chemistry that encodes genes in brain cells-a change that can be temporary or permanent. This process is called epigenetic modification.

Detailed explanation-3: -Environmental factors such as diet, temperature, oxygen levels, humidity, light cycles, and the presence of mutagens can all impact which of an animal’s genes are expressed, which ultimately affects the animal’s phenotype.

Detailed explanation-4: -A rather extreme example of the influence of environment on gene expression is seen in sea turtles. The temperature experienced by sea turtle eggs determines the sex of the embryo inside. This, in turn, determines the sex ratio of the hatchlings.