How do environmental factors influence genetic traits

They are very broad and can influence you in many ways, either alone or in combination with genes. Environmental factors often influence traits independently of genes. But not always. Sometimes the environment changes a gene—either its DNA sequence or its activity level. Either of these effects can change the proteins that are made from a gene, which in turn affects traits. Some harmful environmental factors can change a gene's nucleotide sequence.

Certain chemicals, like those in plastic or cigarette smoke, change the chemical behavior of DNA bases, which can cause one DNA base to substitute for another. And when a virus infects a cell, it copies its own genetic material right into the host's, sometimes right in the middle of a gene.

If a cell accumulates too many of these changes, it can develop into cancer. Environmental factors can also change the epigenome—the chemical tags attached to DNA. These tags cause certain genes to become more or less activate, fine-tuning the amount of protein that's made from them. Diet, toxins, stress, and even physical activity all change the epigenome.

These types of changes help the body adjust to what's going on in and around it. What is Mutation? UV radiation left can make permanent changes to a gene's DNA sequence.

Exercise right activates genes that promote muscle growth. Walking as a mode of transportation can counteract some of the stressful factors of a city environment. Collins, B. Histone H3 lysine K4 methylation and its role in learning and memory. Epigenetics Chromatin Colodro-Conde, L. Equality in educational policy and the heritability of educational attainment.

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Heritability of intraindividual mean and variability of positive and negative affect. Figure 1: A pigment gene is influenced by temperature. Gene C controls fur pigmentation in Himalayan rabbits. Genetics: A Conceptual Approach , 2nd ed. All rights reserved. In addition to drugs and chemicals, temperature and light are external environmental factors that may influence gene expression in certain organisms. For example, Himalayan rabbits carry the C gene, which is required for the development of pigments in the fur, skin, and eyes, and whose expression is regulated by temperature Sturtevant, This temperature regulation of gene expression produces rabbits with a distinctive coat coloring.

In the warm, central parts of the rabbit's body, the gene is inactive, and no pigments are produced, causing the fur color to be white Figure 1. Meanwhile, in the rabbit's extremities i. Light can also influence gene expression, as in the case of butterfly wing development and growth. For example, in , biologist Thomas Hunt Morgan conducted studies in which he placed Vanessa urtica and Vanessa io caterpillars under red, green, or blue light, while other caterpillars were kept in the dark.

When the caterpillars developed into butterflies, their wings showed dramatic differences. Exposure to red light resulted in intensely colored wings, while exposure to green light resulted in dusky wings. Blue light and darkness led to paler colored wings. In addition, the V. As these examples illustrate, there are many specific instances of environmental influences on gene expression. However, it is important to keep in mind that there is a very complex interaction between our genes and our environment that defines our phenotype and who we are.

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