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What determines the number of phenotypes a given trait has?

By Rachel Hickman
What determines the number of phenotypes for a given trait? The number of genes that control the trait. Traits controlled by two or more genes. Many possible genotypes and even more phenotypes because there are two or more alleles.

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Herein, what determines the number of phenotypes for a given trait?

The number of phenotypes produced for a trait depends on how many genes control the trait. A single-gene trait is a trait controlled by only one gene. Single-gene traits may have just two or three distinct phenotypes.

One may also ask, how many phenotypes are possible with a single gene trait? Traits controlled by a single gene with more than two alleles are called multiple allele traits. An example is ABO blood type. There are three common alleles for this trait, which can be represented by the letters A, B, and O. As shown in Table below, there are six possible ABO genotypes but only four phenotypes.

Similarly, it is asked, how are the number of phenotypes produced for a trait related to the number of genes affecting it?

The genome in which a genotype is found can affect the expression of that genotype, and the environment can affect the phenotype. Genes can also be pleitropic when they affect more than one trait. The single base pair mutation that lead to sickle cell anemia is a classic example.

How do you determine phenotype?

The term "phenotype" refers to the observable physical properties of an organism; these include the organism's appearance, development, and behavior. An organism's phenotype is determined by its genotype, which is the set of genes the organism carries, as well as by environmental influences upon these genes.

Related Question Answers

What kind of situations is genetic drift likely to occur?

In what kinds of situations is it likely to occur? Genetic drift is the random change in allele frequencies in a population. It is most likely to occur in small populations or when a small group of organisms colonizes a new habitat.

What are some examples of polygenic traits?

Polygenic traits have many possible phenotypes (physical characteristics) that are determined by interactions among several alleles. Examples of polygenic inheritance in humans include traits such as skin color, eye color, hair color, body shape, height, and weight.

What are two sources of variation?

The two main sources of genetic variation are mutations and re combinations of genes as a result of sexual reproduction. A mutation is a permanent change in the DNA within a gene.

How does speciation occur?

Explanation: Speciation occurs when two or more populations become so genetically distinct that they no longer interbreed with one another. Allopatric speciation is when populations become separated geographically and diverge over time due to natural selection, mutations, and genetic drift within each population.

How can a mutation be neutral?

Neutral mutations are changes in DNA sequence that are neither beneficial nor detrimental to the ability of an organism to survive and reproduce. In population genetics, mutations in which natural selection does not affect the spread of the mutation in a species are termed neutral mutations.

What five conditions are needed to maintain genetic equilibrium?

The Hardy-Weinberg model states that a population will remain at genetic equilibrium as long as five conditions are met: (1) No change in the DNA sequence, (2) No migration, (3) A very large population size, (4) Random mating, and (5) No natural selection.

How does the curve change in stabilizing selection?

Stabilizing selection occurs when individuals near the center of the curve have higher fitness than individuals at either end. Disruptive selection occurs when individuals at the upper and lower ends of the curve have higher fitness than individuals near the middle.

What is a heritable trait?

Heritability is a measure of how well differences in people's genes account for differences in their traits. Traits can include characteristics such as height, eye color, and intelligence, as well as disorders like schizophrenia and autism spectrum disorder. Heritability estimates range from zero to one.

What is an example of a single gene trait?

Some traits, like hair color, come from many different genes, but other traits are controlled by a single gene. Those simple traits include Huntington's disease, galactosemia and phenylketonuria.

Is height a single gene trait?

For example, humans can be many different sizes. Height is a polygenic trait, controlled by at least three genes with six alleles. If you are dominant for all of the alleles for height, then you will be very tall. Skin color is also a polygenic trait, as are hair and eye color.

What is additive gene action?

Additive gene action: The type of gene action whereby each of two alleles contributes equally to the production of qualitative phenotypes; neither allele is dominant. The heterozygous genotype produces a phenotype that is intermediate between those produced by the homozygous genotypes.

What does it mean for 2 species to be reproductively isolated from each other?

What does it mean for two species to be reproductively isolated from each other? A separation of a species or population so that they no longer interbreed and evolve into two separate species. They must mate with other species; the gene pools of two populations must become separated, or reproductively isolated.

How do you determine the number of genotypes and phenotypes?

Number of genotypes for a given number of alleles Given n alleles at a locus, the number genotypes possible is the sum of the integers between 1 and n: With 2 alleles, the number of genotypes is 1 + 2 = 3. 3 alleles there are 1 + 2 + 3 = 6 genotypes. 4 alleles there are 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 = 10 genotypes.

What is an additive allele?

One factor is additive alleles, which are alleles that contribute to most observable traits, such as height, weight, hair color, eye color, and complexion. As you may know, an allele is a variation of a gene (a gene is sequence of DNA stored on a chromosome that codes for a trait, like eye color or diabetes).

How many genotypes are possible for this type of gene interaction?

With one gene controlling a trait we have three possible genotypes, AA, Aa and aa and depending on the allelic interactions (dominance or incomplete dominance) we can have two or three phenotypes. As more and more genes control a trait, a greater number of genotypes are possible.

Why is genetic variation important to the process of evolution?

Genetic variation is an important force in evolution as it allows natural selection to increase or decrease frequency of alleles already in the population. Genetic variation is advantageous to a population because it enables some individuals to adapt to the environment while maintaining the survival of the population.

What are three fields that collaborate to explain evolution?

Ch 16
Question Answer
3 Fields that collaborate today to explain evolution. 1genetics 2molecular biology 3evolutionary theory
A collection of individuals of the same species in a given area is a _______________ population
The combined gentic information of all members of a particular population is a ________________ gene pool

Which gene is dominant?

Dominant refers to the relationship between two versions of a gene. Individuals receive two versions of each gene, known as alleles, from each parent. If the alleles of a gene are different, one allele will be expressed; it is the dominant gene. The effect of the other allele, called recessive, is masked.

Is skin color a single gene trait?

Single genes code for most traits Multiple genes, not just a single gene, determine most traits in humans such as height, eye color, and skin color. When a trait is controlled by more than one gene it is called polygenic.