Final answer:
Polygenic inheritance refers to a trait controlled by multiple genes, each adding to the trait's expression, commonly seen in human characteristics such as skin color and height.
Step-by-step explanation:
Multiple gene inheritance, where multiple genes interact to produce a phenotypic trait, is also called polygenic inheritance.
In polygenic inheritance, traits such as human skin color or height are influenced by the combined effects of numerous genes, rather than a single gene as Mendel's laws suggest. This is because each dominant allele adds to the expression of the trait, enhancing the phenotypic outcome. These interactions can be additive, complementary, or synergistic. Skin color, for instance, is affected by at least three genes, each contributing to the variation in the trait. Similarly, height is another common example of a polygenic trait, where the inheritance pattern can lead to a wide variety of phenotypes based on the complex interplay of multiple genes.
Polygenic inheritance, also known as multiple gene inheritance, occurs when multiple genes interact to produce a phenotypic trait. In this type of inheritance, each gene adds to the complexity and specificity of the trait. For example, human skin color is determined by the action of at least three (and probably more) genes. Polygenic inheritance is different from Mendelian inheritance, where a single gene controls a trait with two alleles.