Final answer:
Polygenic inheritance is characterized by traits that are influenced by multiple genes, each possibly with multiple alleles, resulting in a broad range of phenotypes for characteristics such as height and skin color.
Step-by-step explanation:
The type of inheritance characterized by traits controlled by alleles of more than one gene is known as polygenic inheritance. This contrasts with Mendelian inheritance, where traits are determined by a single gene with two alleles, one possibly being dominant over the other.
In polygenic inheritance, you see the combined influence of several genes contributing to a single characteristic, such as height or skin color, which can result in a spectrum of possible phenotypes. Examples of polygenic traits include a person's height, skin color, and eye color. Each gene in a polygenic trait may have two or more alleles, and the genes may be located on the same chromosome or on different, nonhomologous chromosomes.
Non-Mendelian inheritance patterns, such as polygenic inheritance, show that the inheritance of traits can be more complex than the simple dominant-recessive patterns observed in Mendelian genetics. These patterns are influenced by multiple genes and may also be affected by environmental factors, which can further complicate the inheritance and expression of certain traits.