Question

7 summarize how polygenic inheritance differs from mendelian inheritance.

Explanation:

• Mendelian Inheritance: Involves traits controlled by a single gene (or a few genes) with distinct phenotypic classes (e.g., pea plant flower color, tall/short stems). These traits often show discrete inheritance, following Mendel’s laws of segregation and independent assortment, with clear dominant - recessive or other simple inheritance patterns.
• Polygenic Inheritance: Involves traits controlled by multiple (often many) genes, each contributing a small effect. The resulting phenotypes show continuous variation (e.g., human height, skin color). These traits are also influenced by environmental factors, and the inheritance pattern does not follow the simple ratios of Mendelian inheritance. Instead, the distribution of phenotypes is typically a normal (bell - shaped) curve.

Answer:

• Mendelian Inheritance: Traits are controlled by one (or a few) genes, show discrete phenotypic classes, follow Mendel’s laws, and have little environmental influence.
• Polygenic Inheritance: Traits are controlled by multiple genes (each with small effect), show continuous phenotypic variation, do not follow simple Mendelian ratios, and are influenced by the environment.