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In Biology / High School | 2014-02-25

What is the likely mechanism of inheritance for a character with a large range of phenotypes?

Asked by sarahp

Answer (3)

The mechanism of inheritance would be polygenic heritage, which panels the inheritance of physiognomies regulated by numerous genes and that have several phenotypes.

Answered by priyambaksi | 2024-06-10

A character with a wide range of phenotypes typically follows a polygenic inheritance pattern, involving multiple genes contributing to the trait and resulting in a continuous spectrum of phenotypes that often fall in a bell curve distribution.
When a character exhibits a wide range of phenotypes, it is likely due to a mechanism known as polygenic inheritance. In this type of inheritance, multiple genes, also known as loci, influence a single trait. The interaction of these several genes results in continuous variation within the population, often exemplified by a bell curve of phenotypic distribution. For instance, phenomena such as skin color, adult height, and handspan are examples where a variety of genotypes, made up of different combinations of dominant and recessive alleles, yield a spectrum of outward appearances.
This continuous variation is characterized by a range of trait values with small gradations, rather than large gaps between them. As more loci contribute to the trait, the number of phenotypic outcomes increases, creating a more complex pattern of heredity than what is observed with single-gene traits. Polygenic attributes such as skin color can display many different phenotypes, which are influenced not only by the genetic makeup but also possibly by environmental factors.
The result of polygenic influence is a much more nuanced and intricate pattern of inheritance, and it complicates the prediction of traits based on genetics alone. The relationship between genotype and phenotype in polygenic inheritance is not as clear-cut as in Mendelian single-gene disorders.

Answered by SallyField | 2024-06-24

The mechanism of inheritance for a character with a large range of phenotypes is polygenic inheritance, where multiple genes influence a single trait. This results in a spectrum of variations rather than distinct categories. Environmental factors also play a role in modifying these phenotypes.
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Answered by priyambaksi | 2024-12-24