Asked in Premeth Test 27 — InheritanceModerate

Inheritance of skin color in humans is an example of:

Correct answer: B. Polygenic inheritance

  • A. Point mutation
  • B. Polygenic inheritance
  • C. Codominance
  • D. Chromosomal aberration

Explanation

Polygenic inheritance involves multiple genes contributing to the expression of a single trait, such as skin color in humans. This results in a wide range of phenotypes due to the cumulative effect of several genes. Skin color is controlled by several pairs of alleles, which combine to produce various shades. In contrast, point mutations affect single genes, codominance involves the equal expression of two alleles, and chromosomal aberrations involve structural or numerical changes in chromosomes. None of these mechanisms adequately explain the inheritance of skin color, which is best described by polygenic inheritance.

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About Inheritance

Mendel's laws explain segregation, independent assortment and the prediction of genetic ratios using alleles, genotypes and phenotypes. The chapter also covers linked genes, recombination and crossing over during meiosis, then applies pedigree reasoning to X-linked recessive traits, which show different inheritance patterns in males and females.

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