POLYGENIC TRAIT Meaning and
Definition
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A polygenic trait is a genetic characteristic, such as height, weight, or skin color, that is influenced by the combined effects of many genes, as opposed to being controlled by a single gene. In other words, it is a trait determined by the interaction of multiple genes rather than a single gene. Polygenic traits are usually quantitative traits, meaning they can be measured on a continuous scale and exhibit continuous variation in a population, with individuals falling on a spectrum rather than distinct categories.
The variation observed in polygenic traits arises from the additive effects of multiple alleles of different genes, each contributing in a small way to the overall phenotype. The more alleles a person possesses that contribute to a particular trait, the more likely they are to exhibit a phenotype at the extreme ends of the spectrum. For example, in the case of human height, taller individuals are likely to have more height-increasing alleles compared to shorter individuals.
Polygenic traits are also influenced by environmental factors to varying degrees. While genetics play a significant role in determining these traits, factors such as nutrition, lifestyle, and other external influences can also have an impact on their expression.
Overall, a polygenic trait is a complex trait influenced by the combined effects of multiple genes and their interactions, creating a wide range of variation within a population.
Common Misspellings for POLYGENIC TRAIT
- oolygenic trait
- lolygenic trait
- -olygenic trait
- 0olygenic trait
- pilygenic trait
- pklygenic trait
- pllygenic trait
- pplygenic trait
- p0lygenic trait
- p9lygenic trait
- pokygenic trait
- popygenic trait
- pooygenic trait
- poltgenic trait
- polggenic trait
- polhgenic trait
- polugenic trait
- pol7genic trait
- pol6genic trait
- polyfenic trait
Etymology of POLYGENIC TRAIT
The word "polygenic" is derived from the Greek words "poly" meaning "many" and "genos" meaning "kind" or "race". Additionally, "trait" comes from the Old French word "traite" meaning "fashion", "style", or "expression". Therefore, the term "polygenic trait" originates from Latin and Greek roots and implies a characteristic or property that is influenced by multiple genes.
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