Which of the following traits would you expect to be inherited as quantitative traits?

body weight in chickens

Key Concepts

Quantitative Traits

Quantitative traits are characteristics that are influenced by multiple genes and can be measured on a continuous scale. Examples include height, weight, and blood pressure. These traits typically show a normal distribution in a population, reflecting the additive effects of many alleles, making them distinct from qualitative traits, which are often controlled by a single gene.

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 wide range of possible outcomes. This is particularly relevant for traits like body weight in chickens, where variations arise from the cumulative influence of several genes.

Environmental Influence

Environmental factors can significantly affect the expression of quantitative traits. For instance, nutrition, climate, and management practices can influence body weight in chickens. Understanding the interaction between genetics and environment is crucial for predicting phenotypic outcomes in quantitative traits.