epistasis

Term: epistasis

Origin: Anc Greek

επί/epi(=prefix meaning upon, on)   )

στάσις/stasis(=standing still, state)

à standing upon

Coined:

In 1909, by British geneticist, Wiliam Bateson (1861-01926)  established the term "epistasis" to explain the genetic interaction of two independent traits.

Definition:

Epistasis is the phenomenon in which one or more genes act upon others.  These genes which modify the expression of others are called modifier genes.