Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
Polygenic inheritance refers to the pattern of inheritance in which a trait is influenced by multiple genes. These genes work together to contribute to the phenotype, resulting in a continuum of variations rather than distinct categories.
Related terms
Continuous variation: Continuous variation refers to the range of phenotypes observed for a particular trait due to polygenic inheritance.
Quantitative traits: Quantitative traits are those that are influenced by multiple genes and exhibit continuous variation.
Genetic diversity: Genetic diversity is increased through polygenic inheritance as it allows for a wide range of phenotypic variations within a population.