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Polygenic trait

Definition

noun, singular: polygenic trait

A trait that is controlled by a group of nonallelic genes.


Supplement

Polygenic traits are controlled by two or more than two genes (usually by many different genes) at different loci on different chromosomes. These genes are described as polygenes. Examples of human polygenic inheritance are height, skin colour and weight. Polygenes allow a wide range of physical traits. For instance, height is regulated by several genes so that there will be a wide range of heights in a population.


Word origin: poly = many + genic = of genes.
See also: polygene, inheritance, phenotype.


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Re: PZ Meyers struggles with High School Biology

Traits are polygenic, meaning that multiple genes cooperate to produce a a phenotype. Wrong. Only polygenic traits are polygenic. Some trait differences have nothing to do with genetics. This demonstrates that PZ always ...

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by Crucible
Fri Oct 21, 2011 1:10 pm
 
Forum: Evolution
Topic: PZ Meyers struggles with High School Biology
Replies: 4
Views: 2569

Reduced penetrance vs. multifactorial?

... would be able to distinguish between a disease caused by a single-gene trait with low penetrance and a multifactorial trait? Let's say you were ... something as a single gene disorder with reduced penetrance and a polygenic disorder? (i.e. is it still meaningful to describe a disease as ...

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by Grumbot
Mon Apr 04, 2011 4:23 pm
 
Forum: Genetics
Topic: Reduced penetrance vs. multifactorial?
Replies: 1
Views: 1811

Genetics

If a polygenic trait is controlled by four gene pairs, what is the numbr of phenotypes & genotypes produced in F2 generation?

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by jaiswal
Fri Mar 11, 2011 9:40 am
 
Forum: Genetics
Topic: Genetics
Replies: 1
Views: 1206

Brain size=IQ level theory (Blacks vs Whites & Asians)

... the group that considers it established that intelligence is genetic (polygenic trait) and average intelligence varies with race. I don't think brain size is a very exact ...

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by paintball
Tue Feb 22, 2011 6:42 am
 
Forum: Human Biology
Topic: Brain size=IQ level theory (Blacks vs Whites & Asians)
Replies: 49
Views: 179918

Biology HW help

... with pea plants? 1. An organism that is homozygous for many recessive traits is at a disadvantage 2. Traits are inherited in discrete units, and ... 19. Week 7 Q.19 (Points: 5) Which of the following is an example of polygenic inheritance ? 1. Huntington's disease in humans 2. skin pigmentation ...

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by sharingan23
Fri Feb 26, 2010 9:09 am
 
Forum: Genetics
Topic: Biology HW help
Replies: 1
Views: 11763
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