Question
Your environment can play a role in whether or not a specific gene is expressed. True False
Answer
4.5
(336 Votes)
Kelvin
Elite · Tutor for 8 years
Answer
True
Explanation
Genes require specific signals to switch on and off; hence they will not always express just because they are present in an organism. Some of these signals potentially come from the environment. Different aspects of the environment can trigger genetic expression. The environment includes everything like physical activities, smoking, climate, diet, stress and more. Therefore, in the context of gene expression, interpretation of both "environment" and "genetic expression" is sweeping and not confined to a specific protein expressed by one gene. Epigenetics — the study of how environment and personal behavior can interact with genes to affect health — shows how outside factors can turn genes on and off.