Which of the following can be said about continuous traits?a)The envir...
Mendel’s laws do not apply to these traits as several genes are responsible for a single trait and it is impossible to track each on them on the basis of Mendel’s principles. These genes may or may not necessarily be present on the same chromosome. The genotype as well as the environment influence these traits.
View all questions of this test
Which of the following can be said about continuous traits?a)The envir...
The answer is option 'A,C'.
Explanation:
Continuous traits are those that exhibit a wide range of phenotypic variation, with individuals falling along a continuum rather than into distinct categories. Examples of continuous traits include height, weight, and skin color.
The following can be said about continuous traits:
1. The environment influences the phenotype:
The phenotype of a continuous trait is influenced not only by genetic factors but also by environmental factors. Environmental influences such as nutrition, temperature, and exposure to certain chemicals can affect the expression of these traits. For example, height is influenced by both genetic factors and factors such as diet and overall health.
2. Two or more genes are often involved:
Continuous traits are typically controlled by multiple genes, each contributing a small effect to the overall phenotype. These genes are often referred to as polygenes. For example, height is influenced by the interaction of multiple genes, each of which contributes to the overall height of an individual.
3. Mendel's laws can apply to these traits:
Although continuous traits are influenced by multiple genes, Mendel's laws can still be applied to study the inheritance patterns of these traits. Mendel's laws describe how alleles segregate and assort during gamete formation and can help predict the distribution of phenotypes in offspring.
4. Polygenes are not all present on the same chromosome:
Polygenes, which contribute to the expression of continuous traits, are not necessarily all located on the same chromosome. They can be distributed across different chromosomes. The interaction between these polygenes and their combined effects determine the phenotype of the trait.
In conclusion, continuous traits are influenced by both genetic and environmental factors. They are often controlled by multiple genes and can exhibit a wide range of phenotypic variation. Mendel's laws can still be applied to study the inheritance patterns of these traits, despite their polygenic nature.