Advanced Placement (AP) Biology 2026 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

Question: 1 / 490

What is polygenic inheritance?

A single gene controls a single trait

Multiple genes influence a trait, leading to continuous variation

Polygenic inheritance refers to the situation where multiple genes contribute to the determination of a single trait. This intricate genetic scenario leads to continuous variation in phenotypic traits, such as height, skin color, or weight, rather than discrete categories. Because several genes are involved, each with potentially additive effects, this results in a range of phenotypes that show a bell-shaped distribution when plotted. In essence, the combined action of multiple alleles at different loci significantly influences the expression of a trait, allowing for a wide spectrum of possible outcomes, which is characteristic of many complex traits in biological organisms. This model highlights the complexity of inheritance beyond simple Mendelian concepts, where traits are typically influenced by a single gene.

Get further explanation with Examzify DeepDiveBeta

Traits are determined solely by environmental factors

Only dominant alleles affect the phenotype

Next Question

Report this question

Download Advanced Placement (AP) Biology Practice Exam PDF Study Guide
Subscribe

Get the latest from Examzify

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy