epigenetic
|e-pi-ge-net-ic|
🇺🇸
/ˌɛpɪdʒəˈnɛtɪk/
🇬🇧
/ˌepɪdʒəˈnɛtɪk/
above or beyond the gene (changes not in DNA sequence)
Etymology
'epigenetic' originates from Greek, specifically the element 'epi-' and the word 'genetikos', where 'epi-' meant 'over' or 'upon' and 'genetikos' meant 'relative to birth/origin'.
'epigenetic' developed from the Greek term 'epigenesis' used in classical biology and was later formed into an adjective (via Modern Latin/Greek usage) to describe phenomena 'upon' or 'above' genetics; the scientific adjective gained current usage in the 20th century in genetics and developmental biology.
Initially related to the idea of 'development upon origin' (epigenesis), but over time it evolved to mean specifically 'changes in gene activity not caused by DNA sequence changes' and the study of those changes.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
the study of heritable or long-term changes in gene function that occur without a change in DNA sequence; also refers to the set of chemical modifications (e.g., methylation patterns) themselves.
Epigenetics has shown how environmental factors can leave molecular marks that change gene expression.
Synonyms
Adjective 1
relating to changes in gene activity or expression that do not involve alterations in the DNA sequence (often caused by chemical modifications such as DNA methylation or histone modification).
Researchers are studying epigenetic changes that affect how genes are turned on and off.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Adjective 2
relating to epigenesis or processes in development that influence form and structure (historical/embryological sense).
The scientist described epigenetic factors that influence embryonic development beyond the DNA sequence.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/09/12 04:41