polygenic character

biology

Also known as: continuous character, polygenic inheritance, quantitative character(Show More)

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July 1, 2026

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In biology, a polygenic character refers to a trait that is influenced by two or more nonallelic genes acting together. These genes collectively determine inherited characteristics, making the trait multifactorial.1

Unlike traits determined by a single gene, polygenic inheritance results in continuous variation. This means traits can range across a spectrum rather than falling into distinct categories. Examples include milk yield in cattle, egg-laying capacity in poultry, and human characteristics like stature, head shape, blood pressure, and intelligence. Each gene involved contributes a small effect to the overall phenotype, and environmental conditions also play a significant role in how these traits are expressed. This complex interplay of multiple genes and environmental factors is crucial for understanding many inherited characteristics, including susceptibility to certain birth defects.23

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plant breeding
Quantitative characters
In other cases, however, plant traits grade gradually from one extreme to another in a continuous series, and classification into discrete classes is not possible. Such variability is termed quantitative. Many traits of economic importance are of this type; e.g., height, cold and…
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In other cases, however, plant traits grade gradually from one extreme to another in a continuous series, and classification into discrete classes is not possible. Such variability is termed quantitative. Many traits of economic importance are of this type; e.g., height, cold and…
Read More

character
…many genes is known as polygenic, or quantitative; such characters demonstrate continuous variation (e.g., weight or height, each of which spans a range of values). A genetically controlled character may be described as dominant when its controlling genes are powerful enough to mask the effect of other genes (alleles) that…
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…many genes is known as polygenic, or quantitative; such characters demonstrate continuous variation (e.g., weight or height, each of which spans a range of values). A genetically controlled character may be described as dominant when its controlling genes are powerful enough to mask the effect of other genes (alleles) that…
Read More