Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is the primary characteristic of polygenic inheritance?
What is the primary characteristic of polygenic inheritance?
- Multiple genes have an additive or similar effect on a single quantitative trait (correct)
- A single gene has a significant effect on the phenotype
- Epistasis is involved, resulting in masking of the expression of an allele at a different locus
- There is complete dominance of one allele over another
What is the effect of each allele in polygenic inheritance?
What is the effect of each allele in polygenic inheritance?
- Dominant or recessive
- Null or non-contributing
- Epistatic or masking
- Cumulative or additive (correct)
Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of polygenic inheritance?
Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of polygenic inheritance?
- Multiple genes produce an equal effect
- Continuous variation of the phenotype is observed
- Epistasis is involved, resulting in masking of the expression of an allele at a different locus (correct)
- There is no linkage or dominance
What is the number of genes responsible for the phenotype of height?
What is the number of genes responsible for the phenotype of height?
What is the number of major eye colour genes in humans?
What is the number of major eye colour genes in humans?
What type of inheritance is skin pigmentation an example of?
What type of inheritance is skin pigmentation an example of?
Study Notes
Polygenic Inheritance
- Multiple genes contribute to a single trait.
- Each allele has a small, additive effect.
- Continuous variation is observed in the phenotype, leading to a range of possibilities rather than distinct categories.
- Environmental factors can also influence the trait.
- Examples: skin pigmentation, height, eye color
Height
- Multiple genes contribute to height.
- The exact number is unknown, but estimates suggest hundreds of genes potentially involved.
Eye Color
- Multiple genes are involved in eye color.
- Recent estimates suggest at least 15 genes, with two major genes playing a significant role.
Skin Pigmentation
- Polygenic inheritance is responsible for skin pigmentation variation.
- It is influenced by multiple genes, each contributing a small amount of melanin production.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Description
Test your knowledge of polygenic inheritance, a type of quantitative inheritance where multiple genes have an additive effect on a single trait. Learn about the characteristics of polygenes and how they impact phenotypes. Assess your understanding of this key concept in genetics.