Final answer:
Epigenetic regulation refers to the modification of DNA and proteins associated with gene expression that does not change the DNA sequence. This includes DNA methylation and histone acetylation, which can activate or silence genes in response to environmental stimuli or during development.
Step-by-step explanation:
Modification of DNA and/or associated proteins that regulate gene expression without changing the DNA sequence is known as epigenetic regulation. Epigenetics involves heritable chemical modifications that change the structure of chromosomal proteins and DNA to turn genes on or off. These modifications do not alter the nucleotide sequence of the DNA but rather affect the chromatin's conformation, making it either open for transcription or closed to silence gene expression.
Examples of Epigenetic Changes
- Acetylation of histones can lead to gene activation by making the chromosomal region more accessible.
- DNA methylation can silence gene expression by compacting DNA and preventing the binding of transcription factors.
Epigenetic changes can occur in response to external stimuli like stress, nutrient availability, and even during normal developmental processes. These epigenetic modifications are crucial for controlling gene expression efficiently and are implicated in various physiological responses and diseases such as cancer.