What type of inheritance is influenced by multiple genes?

Polygenic inheritance is characterized by the involvement of multiple genes, each contributing to a particular trait or phenotype. Unlike monogenic inheritance, where a single gene controls the expression of a trait, polygenic inheritance results in a wide range of possible phenotypes due to the cumulative effects of several genes, often located on different chromosomes.

This type of inheritance is common in traits that show continuous variation, such as height, skin color, or weight, where the influence of many different genes produces a spectrum of outcomes rather than a distinct group of phenotypes. Because the traits governed by polygenic inheritance are influenced by multiple alleles, even slight variations in combinations can lead to significant differences in the observed characteristics. Thus, polygenic inheritance highlights the complexity of genetics where multiple factors work together to shape an individual's traits.