How does pleitropy differ from polygenic inheritance?

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Solution

Pleiotropy and polygenic inheritance are the terms used to describe the relationship between genes and their traits.

Pleiotropy Polygenic inheritance
The pleiotropy follows Mendelian inheritance patterns Polygenic inheritance is a non-Mendelian inheritance pattern
Only three genotypic outcomes Many genotypic outcomes.
A particular trait is influenced by one gene A particular trait is influenced by many genes
The effect of one gene on its trait is 100% The effect of one gene on the trait is small
Controlling of multiple traits by a single gene
Controlling of multiple traits by a single gene
It is not affected by the environmental factors It is highly affected by environmental factors.
Albinism, phenylketonuria, autism, schizophrenia, sickle cell anemia, and Marfan syndrome are examples of pleiotropy. Height, weight, body shape, eye color, skin color, and hair color of humans are controlled by polygenic inheritance.

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