methylation

/ˌmɛθəˈleɪʃən/
noun
  1. A chemical process in which a methyl group (a small molecule made of carbon and hydrogen) is added to another molecule, often affecting how genes work or how substances behave.
    • The lab analyzed the methylation patterns in the plant's cells.
    • Scientists study DNA methylation to understand how genes are turned on or off.
    • Methylation plays a key role in how our bodies process certain vitamins.