ELI5! What is the difference between genetics, and epigenetics? My experience thus far has been in nature vs. nurture, and epigenetics sounds like it is a grey area in the middle.

Question

I am studying the effect of trauma on the ability to learn, and I can’t get my head around this concept. I get genetics. I get experience-determined elements, but I do not get epigenetics.

In: Biology

Answer 1

I fear I might be oversimplifying too much, but:

* **Genetics** is what’s in your DNA. It’s the actual raw code that says how to make certain proteins and which of those protein-making instructions to actually follow.
* **Epigenetics** refers to heritable, non-DNA circumstances that affect how the code “runs.” The DNA may call for protein XYZ to be made, but due to some (heritable) condition (say, not enough of some nutrient available in utero), that code is skipped or run “incorrectly.” So you end up with a phenotype (i.e. a physical outcome) different from what the genetic code calls for.