Traits controlled by many genes, producing a continuous range of phenotypes, are called

Traits controlled by many genes, producing a continuous range of phenotypes, are called

• A. Polygenic traits
• B. Monogenic traits
• C. Pleiotropy
• D. Epistasis

Answer: (A)

Traits controlled by many genes and producing a continuous range of phenotypes are polygenic traits. Each gene contributes a small additive effect, and when many such effects combine, you get a spectrum of phenotypes rather than distinct categories. This explains why features like height or skin color show gradual variation across individuals. In contrast, traits governed by a single gene tend to have discrete outcomes, pleiotropy involves one gene affecting multiple traits, and epistasis refers to interactions between genes that alter expression. The defining idea here is that multiple loci with additive effects create continuous variation.

Traits controlled by many genes and producing a continuous range of phenotypes are polygenic traits. Each gene contributes a small additive effect, and when many such effects combine, you get a spectrum of phenotypes rather than distinct categories. This explains why features like height or skin color show gradual variation across individuals. In contrast, traits governed by a single gene tend to have discrete outcomes, pleiotropy involves one gene affecting multiple traits, and epistasis refers to interactions between genes that alter expression. The defining idea here is that multiple loci with additive effects create continuous variation.