Epigenetic theory

Discuss briefly the phenomenon of inheritance by Epigenetic theory.

Expert Solution

Epigenetic theory:

In 1759 a German zoologist C.F. Wolff (1738-1794) proposed that neither the egg nor the sperm had a structure like homunculus (preformed embryo) but that the gametes contained undifferentiated living substance capable of forming the organized body after fertilization.
He advocated that the future embryonic regions of an egg first consist of granules or 'globules' (viz., cells or their nuclei) which gradually organize into rudiments (germinal layers) that, in turn, took on the characteristics of the various organs of the embryo.
This method of progressive development from the simpler to the more complex through the utilization of building units (globules or cells) is called epigenesis.

Epigenetic theory:

The study of how the behavior and environment cause changes which affect the way the genes work is defined as the Epigenetics.
These epigenetic changes are reversible and do not change the DNA sequence, but they can change how the body reads a DNA sequence.

Suhasini Buddi answered 2 years ago

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