The phenotype is not only determined by genotype (DNA sequence) and the environment, but also the epigenotype which is influenced by a combination of these. The epigenome has characteristics of the genome that are not explained by the DNA sequence but instead by epigenetic mechanisms like DNA methylation, histone modifications, and RNA-based silencing. These epigenetic alterations can then be inherited.9
The image of the pup mice reflects an epigenotype change that resulted in a phenotypic change.
9. Stenvinkel, P. and Tomas Ekstrom. "Epigenetics—a helpful tool to better understand processes in clinical nephrology?" Nephrology Dialysis Transplantation, Volume 23, Issue 5, May 2008, pages 1493–1496.
10. Weinhold, Bob. "Epigenetics: The Science of Change." Environ Health Perspect. 2006 Mar; 114(3):A160–A167.
