The basic physical and functional unit of heredity is the gene. DNA is the material that makes up genes.
The environment, comprising the exterior world in which the organism is located or develops, as well as the organism's internal world, can influence gene expression in an organism.
External environmental elements such as medications, chemicals, temperature, and light can influence how an organism develops and functions by determining which genes are turned on and off.
The presence of medications or substances in an organism's environment can also have an impact on gene expression.
External environmental elements such as temperature and light can alter gene expression in some organisms.