definition of genetic mechanisms in the context of immunity

[biology_06er]

Hi there,

I'm reallly confused about a question in a past exam paper....so in class we learnt about how micronutrient deficiencies can lead to an impaired immune system allowing infections such as pneumonia to occur....so I get how that happens but part of the question asks "provide examples of the genetic mechanisms by which under nutrition reduces immunity to communicable diseases"...I don't get what they mean by genetic mechanisms? can someone please help me with this part?

Thank you,
b06er

[Darby]

Genes are activated and deactivated in response to their environments, and nutrition (especially micronutrients critical to particular systems) is part of that environment.