A chicken breeder has a population of chickens where the average number of eggs laid per hen per month is 34. The narrow-sense heritability is 0.75. With this information is it likely that a breeder could select for an increase in eggs per hen laid each month?
Table of contents
- 1. Introduction to Genetics51m
- 2. Mendel's Laws of Inheritance3h 37m
- 3. Extensions to Mendelian Inheritance2h 41m
- 4. Genetic Mapping and Linkage2h 28m
- 5. Genetics of Bacteria and Viruses1h 21m
- 6. Chromosomal Variation1h 48m
- 7. DNA and Chromosome Structure56m
- 8. DNA Replication1h 10m
- 9. Mitosis and Meiosis1h 34m
- 10. Transcription1h 0m
- 11. Translation58m
- 12. Gene Regulation in Prokaryotes1h 19m
- 13. Gene Regulation in Eukaryotes44m
- 14. Genetic Control of Development44m
- 15. Genomes and Genomics1h 50m
- 16. Transposable Elements47m
- 17. Mutation, Repair, and Recombination1h 6m
- 18. Molecular Genetic Tools19m
- 19. Cancer Genetics29m
- 20. Quantitative Genetics1h 26m
- 21. Population Genetics50m
- 22. Evolutionary Genetics29m
20. Quantitative Genetics
Heritability
Problem 3
Textbook Question
Define the following:
(a) Polygenic
(b) Additive alleles
(c) Correlation
(d) Monozygotic and dizygotic twins
(e) Heritability
(f) QTL
(g) Continuous variation

1
Polygenic: Polygenic traits are controlled by multiple genes, each contributing to the phenotype. These traits often show continuous variation, such as height or skin color, and are influenced by both genetic and environmental factors.
Additive alleles: Additive alleles refer to alleles at different loci that contribute cumulatively to a trait. Each allele adds a specific amount to the phenotype, and the total effect is the sum of all additive contributions.
Correlation: Correlation is a statistical measure that describes the degree to which two variables are related. In genetics, it is often used to study the relationship between genetic traits and environmental factors or between traits in relatives.
Monozygotic and dizygotic twins: Monozygotic twins are genetically identical twins that arise from a single fertilized egg splitting into two embryos. Dizygotic twins, also known as fraternal twins, result from two separate eggs fertilized by two different sperm and share about 50% of their genetic material.
Heritability: Heritability is the proportion of phenotypic variation in a population that is attributable to genetic variation. It is expressed as a value between 0 and 1, where higher values indicate greater genetic influence on the trait.
QTL (Quantitative Trait Loci): QTLs are regions of the genome that are associated with variation in a quantitative trait. These loci are identified through genetic mapping and are important for understanding the genetic basis of complex traits.
Continuous variation: Continuous variation refers to traits that show a range of phenotypes rather than discrete categories. Examples include height, weight, and skin color, which are influenced by multiple genes and environmental factors.

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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Polygenic Inheritance
Polygenic inheritance refers to the genetic mechanism where multiple genes (often located on different chromosomes) contribute to a single trait. This results in a continuous range of phenotypes, such as height or skin color, rather than discrete categories. Each gene involved may have a small additive effect, making the trait complex and influenced by both genetic and environmental factors.
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Heritability
Heritability is a statistical measure that estimates the proportion of variation in a trait within a population that can be attributed to genetic differences among individuals. It is important for understanding the genetic contribution to traits and can vary depending on the population and environment. High heritability indicates that genetics play a significant role, while low heritability suggests that environmental factors are more influential.
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Continuous Variation
Continuous variation refers to a range of small differences in a shared trait among individuals, often resulting from polygenic inheritance. Traits such as height, weight, and skin color exhibit continuous variation, as they do not fall into distinct categories but rather show a spectrum of phenotypes. This concept is crucial for understanding how traits can be influenced by multiple genes and environmental factors.
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