The study of how the environment can alter gene expression or function is called

The study of how the environment can alter gene expression or function is called epigenetics. Epigenetics involves understanding how various environmental factors, such as diet, stress, and exposure to toxic substances, can affect gene activity without changing the underlying DNA sequence. This field explores mechanisms such as DNA methylation and histone modification, which can lead to heritable changes in gene expression and can significantly impact an organism's development, behavior, and susceptibility to diseases. Epigenetic changes can be reversible and play a crucial role in processes such as cellular differentiation, adaptation to environmental changes, and evolutionary biology.