Complex traits Flashcards
The interaction of many genes + many environmental factors is known as…
The multifactorial hypothesis of complex traits.
What visual method converts continuous data into discrete data?
A histogram.
Is variance in the original units, or squared units?
Squared units.
What type of distribution do complex traits usually follow?
A normal distribution.
When there is no dominance, gene action is…
Additive.
Define broad-sense heritability.
The phenotypic variance explained by genetics.
What measure tells us how well a trait responds to selective breeding?
Narrow-sense heritability.
Low heritability means no genetic involvement. True or false?
False.
Heritability is useful for interpreting differences between populations. True or false?
False.
What is the opposite of a complex trait?
A Mendelian trait.
What study design is commonly used to estimate broad-sense heritability?
Twin studies.
What are two reasons twin studies are not 100% valid?
- Environments cannot be randomised.
- Twin separation may take months or years.
Does higher additive gene action increase heritability?
Yes.
What term refers to the genes that contribute to a complex trait?
Quantitative trait loci (QTL).
Would a backcross of a quantitative trait show a continuous or Mendelian phenotypic range?
Continuous.
