Final answer:
Mendelian monogenic inheritance involves traits controlled by a single pair of genes, while polygenic inheritance involves traits controlled by multiple genes. Polygenic traits show a wide range of phenotypes and can be influenced by environmental factors.
Step-by-step explanation:
Polygenic inheritance and Mendelian monogenic inheritance are two different types of inheritance patterns that determine how traits are passed down from parents to offspring.
Mendelian monogenic inheritance is characterized by traits that are controlled by a single pair of genes. These genes follow Mendel's laws of inheritance, which state that each gene has two alleles, one inherited from each parent. Traits that follow this pattern include certain diseases like cystic fibrosis and sickle cell anemia.
Polygenic inheritance occurs when traits are controlled by multiple genes. In this case, each gene contributes a small effect to the trait. Polygenic traits often show a wide range of phenotypes, and their expression can be influenced by environmental factors. Examples of polygenic traits include height, skin color, and intelligence.