What is the pattern of inheritance for polygenic trait?
- Autosomal dominant pattern
- X-linked recessive inheritance pattern
- Mendelian inheritance pattern
- Non-Mendelian inheritance pattern
Answer
(4) Non-Mendelian inheritance pattern
Solution
A polygenic trait (e.g., human skin colour) is controlled by three or more genes, each with an additive effect, and the phenotype shows continuous variation influenced also by the environment.
Such traits do not give the discrete Mendelian ratios; polygenic inheritance is a non-Mendelian pattern of inheritance.
Answer: (4)