Final answer:
Patterns of gene expression inheritance is an example of epigenetic inheritance because it involves changes to the chromatin structure, histone modifications, and DNA methylation that can be passed on to future generations.
Step-by-step explanation:
The inheritance of patterns of gene expression is an example of epigenetic inheritance because it involves changes to the chromatin structure, histone modifications, and DNA methylation that can be passed on to future generations. Unlike changes in the DNA sequence itself, these epigenetic modifications can affect gene expression without altering the underlying genetic code. For example, changes in chromatin structure can determine whether a gene is turned on or off, leading to different patterns of gene expression in different cells.