Non-genetic inheritance

Fable or fact?

Abstract

Non-genetic inheritance has been long neglected, but has nowadays turned out to be an important research topic. The transfer of nutrients, hormones, immune cells, epialleles and an altered parental care can lead to a beneficial adaptation of offspring to their environment. Only environmental factors that fluctuate little and are well predictable in the long-term facilitate the evolution of non-genetic inheritance. The wide range of information passed on by earlier generations has to be integrated with own assessments in order to be able to adapt to the environment. Based on probability calculation, Bayesian updating offers a mathematically optimal approach to draw correct conclusions about the state of the environment. However, the relative priority of every source of information depends on the natural conditions of each species. Non-genetic inheritance remains a fascinating research field with a lot of exciting open questions.