What is the difference between multiple alleles and polygenic inheritance?
Multiple alleles:
Polygenic inheritance:
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. |