Polygenic inheritance may result in a continuum of phenotypes because
A) as the number of genes controlling a trait increases and the influence of environment variation becomes greater, there is a blurring of discreteness
B) the alleles for each gene are either completely dominant or recessive
C) additive genes mean the characters are meristic
D) correlations among various traits are always positive

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Polygenic inheritance involves the interaction of multiple genes and the environment to determine a phenotype. As the number of genes and environmental factors involved increases, there is a blurring of discreteness in the phenotype, resulting in a continuum of phenotypes. Therefore, choice A is the best answer. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because they do not accurately describe the nature of polygenic inheritance.

Polygenic Inheritance May Result in a Continuum of Phenotypes Because