Epigenetics is the study of heritable changes in gene expression (active versus inactive genes) that do not involve changes to the underlying DNA sequence — a change in phenotype without a change in genotype — which in turn affects how cells read the genes.

Can epigenetic modification change phenotype?

The epigenetic modifications induced by nutrients are complex and gene-specific. ... As a consequence, the epigenetic landscape is one of the factors involved in phenotype changes, with important consequences upon the physiologic development and risk of chronic metabolic diseases.

Is Epigenetics a phenotype?

In biology, epigenetics is the study of heritable phenotype changes that do not involve alterations in the DNA sequence. ... Epigenetics most often involves changes that affect gene activity and expression, but the term can also be used to describe any heritable phenotypic change.