What is the difference between multiple alleles and polygenic inheritance?

Open in App

Solution

Multiple alleles:
Gene with three or more alleles.
Multiple alleles refer to the existence of multiple alleles.
An example is the human ABO blood group system.
Polygenic inheritance:
Polygenic inheritance occurs when one character is controlled by two or more genes.
Often the genes are large in quantity but small in effect.
Examples of human polygenic inheritance are height, skin color, eye color, and weight.
Multiple alleles
Polygenic inheritance
1) Multiple alleles refer to a series of three or more alternative forms of a gene. 1) A polygenic trait is a trait controlled by a group of non-allelic genes.
2) Only two types of alleles are present in an individual; several alleles can be found in the population. 2) All polygenes can be found in each individual.
3) A single gene is made up of more than two alleles. 3) In polygenic traits, many genes control a single trait.
4) Environmental factors do not affect whether a trait is determined by multiple alleles. 4) Environmental factors have a greater influence in determining a trait by polygenes.
5) Multiple alleles are located in the same position (loci) of homologous chromosomes. 5) Polyploid genes are located at different loci of non-homologous chromosomes.
6) Homologous crossover does not occur between multiple allele loci. 6) Homologous crossover can occur between two alleles of each polygenic gene.
7) Multiple alleles determine quality traits 7) Determine quantitative traits
8) They do not show a variation of the trait in a population. 8) Polygenic traits exhibit a continuous variation of the trait in a population.
9) The human ABO blood group is an example of a trait that is regulated by multiple alleles. 9) Wheat grain color and tobacco corolla length are examples of polygenic traits in plants. Human height, weight, body shape, behavior, intelligence, eye color, skin color, and hair color are polygenic traits.

Suggest Corrections

Similar questions

What is the difference between multiple alleles and polygenes?

What is the difference between pleiotropy and polygenic inheritance?

Which of the following characteristics represents ‘the inheritance of blood groups in humans?

$i)$ Dominance.
$ii)$ Codominance.
$iii)$ Multiple alleles.
$iv)$ Incomplete dominance.
$v)$ Polygenic inheritance.

Join BYJU'S Learning Program

Multiple alleles	Polygenic inheritance
1) Multiple alleles refer to a series of three or more alternative forms of a gene.	1) A polygenic trait is a trait controlled by a group of non-allelic genes.
2) Only two types of alleles are present in an individual; several alleles can be found in the population.	2) All polygenes can be found in each individual.
3) A single gene is made up of more than two alleles.	3) In polygenic traits, many genes control a single trait.
4) Environmental factors do not affect whether a trait is determined by multiple alleles.	4) Environmental factors have a greater influence in determining a trait by polygenes.
5) Multiple alleles are located in the same position (loci) of homologous chromosomes.	5) Polyploid genes are located at different loci of non-homologous chromosomes.
6) Homologous crossover does not occur between multiple allele loci.	6) Homologous crossover can occur between two alleles of each polygenic gene.
7) Multiple alleles determine quality traits	7) Determine quantitative traits
8) They do not show a variation of the trait in a population.	8) Polygenic traits exhibit a continuous variation of the trait in a population.
9) The human ABO blood group is an example of a trait that is regulated by multiple alleles.	9) Wheat grain color and tobacco corolla length are examples of polygenic traits in plants. Human height, weight, body shape, behavior, intelligence, eye color, skin color, and hair color are polygenic traits.