Final answer:
Polygenic traits are controlled by more than one gene, each of which may have multiple alleles. Examples include height, skin color, and weight, and these traits can show a wide range of variability influenced by environmental factors.
Step-by-step explanation:
Traits that are due, in part, to multiple loci are known as polygenic traits. A polygenic trait is a trait controlled by more than one gene, with each gene potentially possessing two or more alleles. These genes may be located on the same chromosome or on nonhomologous chromosomes.
For a deeper understanding, consider the traits are dominant at each loci represented as A?B?C? This shows that the trait is expressed when dominant genes are present at each corresponding locus. However, traits can also be dominant at two genes and recessive at the third, affecting the expression of the trait. The key fact here is that these traits involve multiple genes, unlike monogenetic traits which involve just one gene. Examples of polygenic traits include height, skin color, and weight.
It is important to note that the majority of human traits are polygenic rather than Mendelian. Traits that can be measured or exhibit a wide range of variability and can be influenced by environmental factors are typically polygenic. This genetic diversity is crucial for the survival of species.