Which of the following traits would you expect to be inherited as quantitative traits?
Coat color in dogs

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the concept of quantitative traits: Quantitative traits are traits that are influenced by multiple genes (polygenic inheritance) and often show a continuous range of variation, such as height, weight, or skin color. These traits are also influenced by environmental factors.
2. Determine if coat color in dogs could be a quantitative trait: Coat color in dogs can be influenced by multiple genes, such as those controlling pigment production, pigment distribution, and patterning. This suggests that coat color may exhibit polygenic inheritance.
3. Consider the variation in coat color: If coat color in dogs shows a wide range of shades and patterns (e.g., black, brown, white, brindle, merle), this supports the idea that it is a quantitative trait.
4. Evaluate the role of environmental factors: Quantitative traits are often influenced by the environment. For example, the appearance of coat color might be affected by factors like sunlight exposure or nutrition, further supporting its classification as a quantitative trait.
5. Conclude based on the evidence: Based on the polygenic inheritance, the continuous variation in coat color, and potential environmental influences, coat color in dogs is likely to be inherited as a quantitative trait.

Key Concepts

Quantitative Traits

Quantitative traits are characteristics that are influenced by multiple genes and can be measured on a continuous scale, such as height, weight, or coat color. Unlike qualitative traits, which are typically determined by a single gene and exhibit distinct categories, quantitative traits show a range of phenotypes due to the additive effects of several alleles.

Polygenic Inheritance

Polygenic inheritance refers to the phenomenon where multiple genes contribute to a single trait. Each gene may have a small effect on the phenotype, and the cumulative impact of these genes results in the continuous variation observed in traits like coat color in dogs, which can range from light to dark shades.

Environmental Influence

Environmental factors can significantly affect the expression of quantitative traits. For example, the coat color in dogs may not only be determined by genetic factors but also influenced by environmental conditions such as temperature, nutrition, and exposure to sunlight, leading to variations in the phenotype that are not solely attributable to genetics.