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

fruit weight in tomatoes

Key Concepts

Quantitative Traits

Quantitative traits are characteristics that are influenced by multiple genes and can be measured on a continuous scale. Unlike qualitative traits, which are typically binary (e.g., flower color), quantitative traits exhibit a range of phenotypes, such as height or weight. These traits are often affected by environmental factors as well, making them complex to analyze.

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, fruit weight in tomatoes is influenced by several genes, resulting in a range of weights rather than distinct categories.

Environmental Influence

Environmental influence plays a significant role in the expression of quantitative traits. Factors such as soil quality, water availability, and temperature can affect the growth and development of organisms, leading to variations in traits like fruit weight. Understanding the interaction between genetics and environment is crucial for predicting phenotypic outcomes in quantitative traits.