In a certain species of pine trees, the short needles are dominant to long needles. when discussing the pine tree needles as being short or long we are referring to the

We are referring to the phenotype of the species.

The phenotype describes the set of observable characteristics of an species. It depends on the expression of genes (genotype) and the environment. For example, humans having type 2 diabetes can be linked to both genetic predispositions and poor eating habits.

Epigenetic modifications can also modify a phenotype. Epigenetics is a process that explains how environmental factors (diet, smoking, stress ...) influence the expression of genes and therefore the phenotype.

the transfer of energy between two molecules spaced just nanometers apart plays a key role in many technologies, including photovoltaics, quantum information systems, lighting, and sensors, as well as in biophysics to measure nanometer distances and in photosynthesis. but an open question in this area is what effect, if any, the surrounding photonic environment has on this nanoscale energy transfer. by designing and performing a carefully controlled experiment to answer this question, scientists have settled the debate and found clues to improving the efficiency of many of the technologies that rely on this process.

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