Does the environment affect how genes are expressed?
Yes! There are many environmental factors that affect gene expression in animals and plants. The video below gives several examples.
Important Human Examples:
Humans also express genes depending on the environment. Examples include:
- People will not grow as tall if their diet doesn't provide enough nutrition. This is one of the main reasons why the average human height has increased since the industrial revolution.
- There are genes that make people more likely to have cancer. Activities such as smoking, exposure to certain chemicals, and/or eating certain foods can cause these genes to turn on.
- People with genes that make them more likely to get diabetes can avoid the disease with exercise and a healthy diet.