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Question
Biology
Posted 7 months ago
Why is it that having many genes affecting variation in a trait can produce nearly continuous (and bell curve - shaped) variation in that trait?
1 point

Because of variable penetrance of the individual genes

Because many different combinations of genes create the "mean" trait value, which results in many intermediate phenotypes and few combinations of genes that create the extreme trait values

Because the genes are all linked on the same chromosome if they affect the same trait

Because the genes individually have alleles exhibiting dominance in their effect on the trait
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Answer from Sia
Posted 7 months ago
Answer
Because many different combinations of genes create the "mean" trait value, which results in many intermediate phenotypes and few combinations of genes that create the extreme trait values
Solution
a
Polygenic inheritance: Traits that are influenced by multiple genes, known as polygenic traits, can show a wide range of phenotypes
b
Additive effects: Each gene involved in determining a polygenic trait contributes a small amount to the phenotype, and these effects can add up to produce a continuous range of variation
c
Normal distribution: When large numbers of genes are involved, the combination of their additive effects tends to produce a bell curve of phenotypes in a population, with most individuals having an intermediate phenotype
Key Concept
Polygenic inheritance
Explanation
Polygenic traits are influenced by multiple genes, which can lead to a continuous range of phenotypes that often follow a normal distribution, resulting in a bell curve-shaped variation.

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