angenommet

Angenommet is a coined term in theoretical biology that denotes non-genetic information and context that influence trait development, operating in addition to the organism's DNA sequence. Proponents describe angenommet as a complementary layer to the genome, consisting of information that can be transmitted across generations without changes to the genetic code. The concept draws on ideas from epigenetics, cytoplasmic inheritance, maternal effects, microbiome transmission, and developmental plasticity, and it emphasizes that phenotype results from interactions among genetic, environmental, and contextual factors.

Components associated with angenommet include epigenetic marks such as DNA methylation and histone modification, inherited cytoplasmic factors, stable microbiome composition, and parental or early-life environments that shape developmental trajectories. These elements can influence gene expression and physiological states, sometimes persisting across generations.

Usage of the term is mainly in theoretical or philosophical discussions about heredity and evolution. It is not universally adopted or precisely defined, and some critics warn that it risks obscuring existing concepts such as epigenetics and non-genetic inheritance by bundling them under a single label. Advocates argue that angenommet provides a useful heuristic for thinking about information transfer that is not encoded in DNA.

Examples cited in discussions include maternal provisioning and early environmental effects in animals, seed and hormonal signaling in plants, and microbiome-mediated modulation of metabolism and behavior. Related concepts include epigenetics, non-genetic inheritance, and developmental plasticity.