Lecture 44

Question 1

What are discontinuous traits?

Answer 1

when a trait has two or more distinct phenotypes in a population (distinct categories, usually caused by one or two genes)

Question 2

What are continuous traits?

Answer 2

traits show a range rather than discrete categories

usually influenced by 3 or more genes (polygeneic)

Question 3

What are some examples of continuous traits?

Answer 3

human height, weight, hair colour, tree height

Question 4

Why does continuous variation occur?

Answer 4

one gene makes up to 3 phenotypes

two genes makes up to 5 phenotypes

3 or more genes, phenotypes blend together, continuous distribution

Question 5

Continuous variation observes a (blank) and is part of (blank)

Answer 5

bell curve (many genes)

extended mendelian inheritance