Contribution of epigenetic modifications to evolution

When you are born, your genes make you who you are. But as you grow up, your DNA can change a little bit because of all kinds of things that happen to you - like what you eat, where you live or how much you exercise. These changes can also be passed down to your children when they are born.

This is what is meant by epigenetic modifications or changes. They are like little labels that can be added to your DNA or the proteins it's wrapped around, telling your genes when to turn on or off. These modifications can be influenced by your environment and lifestyle, so they can help your body adapt to things like changes in temperature, food availability or even danger.

Now, imagine that these changes are happening in a whole group of animals over many generations. The ones with helpful modifications will survive better and have more offspring, passing on these beneficial changes. Over time, the whole population will become better adapted to their environment and eventually, a new species might even evolve.

So, epigenetic modifications contribute to evolution by providing a way for animals to adapt to their environment and pass on these changes to future generations. It's like a toolbox that animals can use to make different versions of themselves depending on what the world around them looks like.