POLYGENIC TRAITS Meaning and
Definition
-
Polygenic traits refer to traits or characteristics that are determined by the combined effect of multiple genes. Unlike traits that are controlled by a single gene (monogenic traits), polygenic traits are influenced by the interaction and contribution of multiple genes, as well as environmental factors.
Polygenic traits are commonly observed in complex traits such as height, intelligence, skin color, and diseases like diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. These traits are not solely determined by a single gene but are the result of the additive effects of multiple genes working together. Each gene may contribute to a small extent, and the combined effect of these genes determines the overall expression of the trait.
Polygenic traits often exhibit a continuous or quantitative variation, meaning that they can have a wide range of expression or values. In many cases, the distribution of these traits follows a bell-shaped curve or normal distribution pattern in a population.
Understanding polygenic traits is crucial in fields such as genetics, genomics, and evolutionary biology. Scientists use various techniques, including genome-wide association studies (GWAS), to identify the specific genes involved in polygenic traits, as well as the extent of their contribution. This research can provide valuable insights into the genetic basis and complexity of these traits and their implications in human health and disease.
Common Misspellings for POLYGENIC TRAITS
- oolygenic traits
- lolygenic traits
- -olygenic traits
- 0olygenic traits
- pilygenic traits
- pklygenic traits
- pllygenic traits
- pplygenic traits
- p0lygenic traits
- p9lygenic traits
- pokygenic traits
- popygenic traits
- pooygenic traits
- poltgenic traits
- polggenic traits
- polhgenic traits
- polugenic traits
- pol7genic traits
- pol6genic traits
- polyfenic traits
Etymology of POLYGENIC TRAITS
The word "polygenic" comes from the Greek roots "poly" meaning "many" and "genos" meaning "birth" or "origin". "Polygenic" refers to traits or characteristics that are influenced by multiple genes or genetic factors.
The word "traits" comes from the Old French word "trait" which means "line" or "feature". It originated from the Latin word "tractus" meaning "a drawing out or pulling". In the context of genetics, "traits" refer to specific characteristics or features of an organism that are determined by its genetic makeup.
Therefore, the term "polygenic traits" refers to those traits or characteristics of an individual that are controlled by multiple genes or genetic factors.
Infographic
Add the infographic to your website:
