Define and give examples of discontinuous and continuous phenotypic variation and explain how understanding of
these two concepts resulted in important advances in human geneticsWhat will be an ideal response?
When a single gene pair controls a trait, such as the tall and short phenotypes in Mendel’s pea
plants, the resulting phenotypes will be either tall or short. These two phenotypes are
examples of discontinuous phenotypic variation. In contrast, when several gene pairs andenvironmental interactions control a trait, such as the many phenotypes for human height, the
resulting phenotypes will fall into a series of overlapping phenotypic classes. This pattern of
phenotypes is an example of continuous phenotypic variation. Understanding the genetics
underlying discontinuous and continuous traits was an important advance in human genetics
and led to the realization that some traits are controlled by single genes (monogenic traits)
identified by classic Mendelian patterns of inheritance, while others are complex traits
controlled by multiple factors.
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Albinism is a recessive disorder in which the skin and hair fail to produce pigment. The following question(s) ask you to evaluate the pedigree chart shown here in which "N" is the allele for normal pigmentation and "n" is the allele for albinism. The shaded circles for Deirdre and Shannon represent the only individuals expressing the disorder.
What is Geoff's genotype?
A. nn B. NN C. Nn D. Cannot be determined
Which hormone is responsible for the development of female secondary sex characteristics?
a. melatonin b. testosterone c. progesterone d. estrogen e. thymosin
The movement of both oxygen and carbon dioxide in the body is accomplished by
a. exocytosis and endocytosis. b. bulk flow. c. osmosis. d. diffusion. e. facilitated diffusion.
What was the approximate size of the human population in the year 2008?
A) 1.6 billion B) 2.6 billion C) 3.6 billion D) 6.6 billion E) 10 billion