Epigenetic marks are like special tags on our DNA that help control how our genes work. These tags can change how genes are expressed without actually changing the DNA itself. This means that living things can pass down useful traits to their offspring, especially when the environment changes.

Here’s a breakdown of how this works:

1. How It Affects Genes:

   • About 70% of human genes are managed by these epigenetic changes.
   • Depending on the environment, some genes can be turned on while others can be turned off.

2. Heredity:

   • These epigenetic changes can be stable, which means they can be inherited by the next generation.
   • Research shows that half of the traits we see in offspring might be linked to these hidden changes.

3. Importance in Evolution:

   • Epigenetics helps living things adapt quickly.
   • For example, plants can learn to deal with stressful conditions through epigenetic changes that happen in just one generation.

In short, epigenetic marks help connect our genes with how we adapt to the world around us. They play a big part in evolution and how traits are passed on!