Provide a definition and an example for each of the following terms:

additive genes

Key Concepts

Additive Genes

Additive genes refer to alleles that contribute to a trait in a cumulative manner. Each allele adds a specific amount to the phenotype, leading to a continuous range of expression, such as height in plants or skin color in humans. This concept is crucial in understanding polygenic inheritance, where multiple genes influence a single trait.

Polygenic Inheritance

Polygenic inheritance is a type of genetic inheritance where multiple genes at different loci contribute to a single phenotypic trait. This results in a wide variety of phenotypes, often displayed as a bell curve in a population. Understanding this concept is essential for analyzing traits that do not follow simple Mendelian inheritance patterns.

Phenotype

Phenotype refers to the observable characteristics or traits of an organism, which result from the interaction of its genotype with the environment. Examples include physical attributes like color, shape, and size. Recognizing the distinction between genotype (genetic makeup) and phenotype is vital for studying how genes influence traits.