On Top of Genetics: Epigenetics

Epigenetics is a branch of science that investigates the inheritable changes of characteristics in organisms without the change of DNA sequence. This is how a caterpillar metamorphosis to butterflies, essentially the same organism with the same genes but different appearances. Similarly, identical twins are not really identical, although they have the exact same genes. This is because of the slight differences in the environment and the more they age, the differences become more visible.

This book serves as an introduction to epigenetics and aimed at people from all backgrounds.

With the Greek prefix, epigenetics literally means "above" or "on top of" genetics. So, the first chapter gives the necessary background for the epigenetics with simple definitions and examples of the necessary genetic phenomena.