Polygenic inheritance

Polygenic inheritance refers to how multiple genes work together to influence a single trait. Unlike traits controlled by a single gene, polygenic traits (like height, skin color, or intelligence) result from the combined effect of several genes. Each gene contributes a small part to the overall trait, and their interactions produce a wide range of possible traits in a population. This explains why such traits often show continuous variation rather than clear categories. In essence, polygenic inheritance highlights the complex genetic foundation behind many physical and biological characteristics we observe.