POLYGENES Meaning and
Definition
-
Polygenes refer to multiple genes that contribute to the expression of a specific trait or characteristic in an organism. These genes interact with one another and often work in combination to determine the phenotype of an individual. The term "polygenes" is derived from the Greek words "poly" meaning many or multiple, and "genes" which refers to the segments of DNA that code for specific proteins.
Unlike traits that are controlled by a single gene (known as monogenic traits), polygenic traits are influenced by the cumulative effect of several genes. Each gene involved contributes a small, incremental effect on the phenotype, which means that the more genes involved in controlling a trait, the more variation can be observed among individuals.
Polygenic traits are common in complex organisms, including humans, and can encompass a wide range of characteristics such as height, intelligence, skin color, and susceptibility to certain diseases. The combined effect of multiple polygenes often results in a continuous variation of the trait being studied, as opposed to distinct categories or discrete outcomes.
Understanding polygenic traits and the specific genes involved in their expression can be challenging due to the intricate interplay between genetic and environmental factors. Statistical methods such as quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping are often used to identify and study the contribution of polygenes to specific traits.
Etymology of POLYGENES
The word "polygenes" is derived from two partly Greek and partly Latin roots.
The first part, "poly-", comes from the Greek word "poly" (πολυ), meaning "many" or "multiple". This prefix is commonly used in English to indicate the presence of multiple or many parts or elements.
The second part, "-genes", comes from the Greek word "genos" (γένος), which means "kind" or "race". In scientific terminology, "-genes" is used to refer to genes or genetic factors.
When combined, "polygenes" refers to a set of multiple genes or genetic factors having an influence on a particular trait or characteristic, typically in the context of complex, multifactorial traits observed in organisms.
