Final answer:
The pattern of inheritance where a trait is influenced by many genes is known as polygenic inheritance. This leads to a continuum of phenotypes, unlike the discrete categories observed in Mendelian inheritance, and examples include traits such as height, skin color, and eye color.
Step-by-step explanation:
When the expression of a trait is influenced by the action of many genes, the pattern of inheritance is called polygenic inheritance. In this type of genetic inheritance, traits do not follow the simple rules of Mendelian inheritance where one gene controls one characteristic. Rather, polygenic traits, such as human height and skin color, are the result of the interaction among several genes.
Non-Mendelian inheritance patterns like polygenic inheritance often result in a wide range of phenotypes, reflecting the combined effects of multiple genes. An example of polygenic inheritance is human eye color, which involves the action of at least eight different genes. This adds complexity to predicting traits, as they are not determined by a single gene with two alleles.
Polygenic traits also include characteristics like weight, which can be measured, showing variability and can be influenced by environmental factors. The vast majority of human traits are polygenic, highlighting the importance of gene interaction and diversity for species survival.