Textbook Question
Which of the following traits would you expect to be inherited as quantitative traits?
Body weight in chickens
Ch. 19 - Genetic Analysis of Quantitative Traits
Sanders3rd EditionGenetic Analysis: An Integrated ApproachISBN: 9780135564172
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Table of contents
- Ch. 1 - The Molecular Basis of Heredity, Variation, and Evolution64
- Ch. 2 - Transmission Genetics144
- Ch. 3 - Cell Division and Chromosome Heredity81
- Ch. 4 - Gene Interaction87
- Ch. 5 - Genetic Linkage and Mapping in Eukaryotes103
- Ch. 6 - Genetic Analysis and Mapping in Bacteria and Bacteriophages73
- Ch. 7 - DNA Structure and Replication71
- Ch. 8 - Molecular Biology of Transcription and RNA Processing79
- Ch. 9 - The Molecular Biology of Translation110
- Ch. 10 - Eukaryotic Chromosome Abnormalities and Molecular Organization100
- Ch. 11 - Gene Mutation, DNA Repair, and Homologous Recombination86
- Ch. 12 - Regulation of Gene Expression in Bacteria and Bacteriophage90
- Ch. 13 - Regulation of Gene Expression in Eukaryotes38
- Ch. 14 - Analysis of Gene Function via Forward Genetics and Reverse Genetics72
- Ch. 15 - Recombinant DNA Technology and Its Applications69
- Ch. 16 - Genomics: Genetics from a Whole-Genome Perspective49
- Ch. 17 - Organelle Inheritance and the Evolution of Organelle Genomes27
- Ch. 18 - Developmental Genetics43
- Ch. 19 - Genetic Analysis of Quantitative Traits66
- Ch. 20 - Population Genetics and Evolution at the Population, Species, and Molecular Levels105
Sanders3rd EditionGenetic Analysis: An Integrated ApproachISBN: 9780135564172Not the one you use?Change textbook
Chapter 19, Problem 1b
Which of the following traits would you expect to be inherited as quantitative traits?
Growth rate in sheep
Verified step by step guidance1
Understand the concept of quantitative traits: Quantitative traits are traits that are influenced by multiple genes (polygenic inheritance) and often show a continuous range of variation. Examples include height, weight, and growth rate.
Recognize that growth rate in sheep is likely influenced by multiple genetic factors as well as environmental factors, making it a quantitative trait.
Consider the characteristics of quantitative traits: They are typically measured and expressed numerically, such as in units of growth per day or weight gain over time.
Compare growth rate in sheep to other traits that are qualitative (e.g., coat color, which is often controlled by a single gene and shows discrete categories). This distinction helps confirm that growth rate is quantitative.
Conclude that growth rate in sheep is inherited as a quantitative trait because it is influenced by multiple genes and shows a range of phenotypic variation rather than discrete categories.
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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Quantitative Traits
Quantitative traits are characteristics that are influenced by multiple genes and can be measured on a continuous scale, such as height, weight, or growth rate. Unlike qualitative traits, which are typically categorized into distinct classes, quantitative traits exhibit a range of phenotypes due to the additive effects of several alleles. This complexity makes them subject to environmental influences as well.
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Polygenic Inheritance
Polygenic inheritance refers to the phenomenon where multiple genes contribute to a single trait. Each gene may have a small additive effect on the phenotype, leading to a continuous distribution of traits in a population. For example, growth rate in sheep is likely influenced by several genes, making it a polygenic trait that can vary widely among individuals.
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Heritability
Heritability is a measure of how much of the variation in a trait can be attributed to genetic differences among individuals in a population. It is expressed as a proportion, ranging from 0 to 1, where higher values indicate a greater genetic contribution to the trait. Understanding heritability is crucial for predicting how traits like growth rate in sheep can be passed on to future generations.
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Related Practice
Textbook Question
Which of the following traits would you expect to be inherited as quantitative traits?
Milk production in cattle
Textbook Question
Which of the following traits would you expect to be inherited as quantitative traits?
Fruit weight in tomatoes
Textbook Question
Which of the following traits would you expect to be inherited as quantitative traits?
Coat color in dogs