epistasis
/ɪˈpɪstəsɪs/
noun
- A phenomenon in genetics where the effect of one gene is suppressed or modified by one or more other genes.
- The inheritance of coat color in Labrador retrievers is a classic example of epistasis.
- Researchers use computer models to study epistasis in complex diseases like diabetes.
- Epistasis explains why two people with the same gene for a trait can look different.