5 Questions
What is a multifactorial trait?
A trait influenced by both genetic and environmental factors
What is heritability in the context of multifactorial inheritance?
The proportion of individual differences in a trait due to genetic differences
Which gene is involved in familial hypercholesterolemia?
LDL receptor gene
What is the role of twin and adoption studies in studying multifactorial traits?
To differentiate between heredity and environmental influences
What do many multifactorial traits show in terms of distribution?
A normal distribution (bell-shaped curve)
Study Notes
Multifactorial Traits
- A multifactorial trait is a characteristic influenced by both genetic and environmental factors, resulting in a complex interplay between multiple genes and environmental influences.
Heritability
- Heritability, in the context of multifactorial inheritance, refers to the proportion of variation in a trait that can be attributed to genetic differences between individuals.
Familial Hypercholesterolemia
- Familial hypercholesterolemia is a multifactorial trait caused by mutations in the LDLR gene, leading to extremely high levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol.
Twin and Adoption Studies
- Twin and adoption studies are used to study multifactorial traits, allowing researchers to distinguish between the effects of genetics and environment on trait variation.
Distribution of Multifactorial Traits
- Many multifactorial traits exhibit a continuous distribution, following a bell-shaped curve, indicating that the majority of individuals will have average values, while fewer individuals will have extreme values.
Test your understanding of multifactorial inheritance with this quiz! Explore terms such as multifactorial trait, recurrence risk, heritability, threshold of liability, and concordant/discordant trait. Evaluate your knowledge of the five criteria for recurrence risk, indicating multifactorial inheritance in traits.
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