Question

Examine The Trait Distribution Of Specific Leaf Area (Leaf A) (The Ratio Of Leaf Area To Dry Mass, SLA), Below. The Dotted Normal Distribution Represents The Natural Pattern Of SLA Observed In Nature. The Histogram Below The Dotted Curve Represents The Distribution Of Phenotypes When The Plant Is Grown In A Single Common Environment. The Numbers Above The

Examine the trait distribution of Specific Leaf Area (leaf a) (The ratio of leaf area to dry mass, SLA), below. The dotted normal distribution represents the natural pattern of SLA observed in nature. The histogram below the dotted curve represents the distribution of phenotypes when the plant is grown in a single common environment. The numbers above the bars represent the observed phenotype ratio.
a) How many polygenes encode for this trait?
b) Assuming the minimum observed phenotype in a common garden was 8sqm/kg and the maximum observed phenotype was 20sqm/kg, what is the contribution of each allele in this polygene?

Answer 1

The trait distribution of Specific Leaf Area (SLA) is examined in the question. SLA is a polygenic trait influenced by multiple genes. The dotted normal distribution represents the natural pattern of SLA, and the histogram below it represents the distribution of phenotypes in a common environment.

Step-by-step explanation:

In the given question, we are examining the trait distribution of Specific Leaf Area (SLA). SLA is a polygenic trait, meaning that it is influenced by multiple genes. The dotted normal distribution represents the natural pattern of SLA observed in nature. The histogram below the dotted curve represents the distribution of phenotypes when the plant is grown in a single common environment.

a) To determine the number of polygenes that encode for this trait, we need to count the number of distinct peaks in the dotted normal distribution. Each peak corresponds to an allele or a gene contributing to the trait. In this case, we can see that there are multiple peaks in the dotted normal distribution, indicating that there are multiple polygenes encoding for SLA.

b) To determine the contribution of each allele in the polygene, we need more information about the distribution and specific alleles involved. Without this information, it is not possible to calculate the contribution of each allele.

Answer 2

Polygenic traits like Specific Leaf Area (SLA) are controlled by multiple genes. The distribution of SLA follows a bell-shaped curve with most individuals falling in the middle. The number of polygenes encoding for SLA can be determined by the number of peaks in the distribution curve.

Step-by-step explanation:

Polygenic traits, such as Specific Leaf Area (SLA), are controlled by multiple genes. The trait distribution of SLA follows a bell-shaped curve, with most individuals falling in the middle and few at the extremes.

To determine the number of polygenes involved in SLA, you can count the number of peaks or modes in the distribution curve. Each peak represents a different allele contributing to the trait. In this case, there seems to be one peak in the dotted normal distribution, suggesting that there is likely one polygene encoding for this trait.

The contribution of each allele in a polygene can be calculated by dividing the observed phenotype range (20 sqm/kg - 8 sqm/kg = 12 sqm/kg) by the number of alleles. Since there is one polygene involved, each allele would contribute 12 sqm/kg.