What is polygenic inheritance?

Polygenic inheritance refers to the genetic scenario where multiple genes contribute to a single trait or phenotype. This type of inheritance results in a wide variety of phenotypes, as the interactions between several genes can produce different outcomes. Each gene involved may have a small and cumulative effect on the trait, which is why traits governed by polygenic inheritance, such as height, skin color, or intelligence, often demonstrate a continuous range of variation rather than discrete categories.

In contrast to other inheritance patterns that focus on single genes or environmental influences, polygenic inheritance highlights the complexity of genetic contributions to traits. It showcases how multiple alleles can work together to shape an organism's characteristics, underlining the multifactorial nature of inheritance for many traits in animals and plants. This concept highlights the importance of understanding genetic interactions in relation to phenotypic expression, emphasizing that behavior or appearance can often be attributed to a combination of genetic factors rather than a single source.