Which of the following statements regarding epigenetic modifications is false?
They can be passed down through generations
They involve changes to DNA sequence
They can regulate gene expression
They are influenced by environmental factors
Epigenetic modifications do not involve changes to the DNA sequence itself. Instead, they refer to changes in gene expression that occur without altering the DNA sequence. Epigenetic modifications can include DNA methylation, histone modifications and non-coding RNA molecules. These modifications can affect gene expression by altering the accessibility of DNA regions and influencing the binding of transcription factors and other regulatory proteins. Hence, option 2 is the correct answer.
Epigenetic modifications can be passed down through generations and are influenced by environmental factors. It is not a false statement. Hence option 1 is incorrect.
Epigenetic modifications involve chemical changes to DNA and histone proteins that can alter gene expression without changing the DNA sequence itself. It is not a false statement. Hence option 3 is incorrect.
Epigenetic modifications can be passed down through generations and are influenced by environmental factors. It is not a false statement. Hence option 4 is incorrect.