Which term describes a trait that is influenced by more than one gene?

Which term describes a trait that is influenced by more than one gene?

• A. Monogenic trait
• B. Polygenic trait
• C. Polygenetic traits
• D. Epistasis

Answer: (C)

A trait influenced by more than one gene is described as polygenic. Each gene adds a small effect, and when all these effects combine, they produce a wide, continuous range of phenotypes rather than just a few distinct categories. This is why characteristics like height or skin color vary smoothly across a population, with many intermediate values rather than only tall vs short or light vs dark. This contrasts with a monogenic trait, which is controlled by a single gene and tends to show discrete outcomes. Epistasis refers to a specific situation where one gene’s effect depends on the presence or absence of another gene, focusing on gene interactions rather than simply the number of genes involved. The term reflecting the idea of multiple genes shaping a trait is polygenic; the option you’re considering uses a closely related form. It effectively conveys the same concept, with the standard usage being polygenic trait.

A trait influenced by more than one gene is described as polygenic. Each gene adds a small effect, and when all these effects combine, they produce a wide, continuous range of phenotypes rather than just a few distinct categories. This is why characteristics like height or skin color vary smoothly across a population, with many intermediate values rather than only tall vs short or light vs dark.

This contrasts with a monogenic trait, which is controlled by a single gene and tends to show discrete outcomes. Epistasis refers to a specific situation where one gene’s effect depends on the presence or absence of another gene, focusing on gene interactions rather than simply the number of genes involved.

The term reflecting the idea of multiple genes shaping a trait is polygenic; the option you’re considering uses a closely related form. It effectively conveys the same concept, with the standard usage being polygenic trait.