Final answer:
Epigenetics refers to heritable changes in gene expression and chromatin modifications caused by factors other than changes in DNA sequence, such as chemical modifications to histone proteins and DNA methylation.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term for inheritance based on protein structure rather than DNA sequence is known as epigenetics. Epigenetic inheritance involves heritable changes in chromatin modifications and gene expression that do not arise from changes in the DNA sequence itself. These modifications include, but are not limited to, patterns of histone modification such as acetylation, methylation, and phosphorylation, as well as DNA methylation and phosphorylation.
These changes to the chromatin structure, like converting the 30nm fiber into a more accessible 10nm 'beads-on-a-string' nucleosome structure, lead to altered gene expression without altering the underlying genetic code. Additionally, epigenetic changes are significant as they can persist through cell divisions and, in some cases, can be passed on to subsequent generations, influencing traits beyond the immediate offspring.