Discuss some of the human traits that are Mendelian (one gene, 2-3 alleles, one
ID: 164507 • Letter: D
Question
Discuss some of the human traits that are Mendelian (one gene, 2-3 alleles, one trait) in nature. You can also comment on pleiotropic and polygenic traits, but be sure you distinguish them as such. What is the difference between calling the results of genetic expression a disease vs. a condition? What impact do genes have vs. the environment (which includes lifestyle and social surrounding)? Discuss some of the human traits that are Mendelian (one gene, 2-3 alleles, one trait) in nature. You can also comment on pleiotropic and polygenic traits, but be sure you distinguish them as such. What is the difference between calling the results of genetic expression a disease vs. a condition? What impact do genes have vs. the environment (which includes lifestyle and social surrounding)?Explanation / Answer
Height or skin color of humans is a polygenic trait. This is because it is controlled by more than one gene. The number of dominant alleles contribute to maximum outcome of these traits. And all the recessive alleles contribute to a basic range, for example a minimum height range or basic skin tone. These traits show bell shaped growth in the population.
Another trait is for blood groups. It is controlled by single gene but has multiple alleles. There are three alleles contributing to four blood types. This is case of Multiple allelism.
There are some traits which are pleiotropic, which means one gene is responsible for more than one trait. This is opposite of polygenic traits. One such example is phenylketonuria in humans.
Disease is a state of uneasiness due to some infection from outside or abnormal functioning of any internal factor, like hormones or blood pressure. Internal factor can also be due to faulty genetic expression.
Condition is like explaining the level of well being of a person, whether he/she is healthy or not. For example, we say neurological condition of a person is not well.
Environment influences the normal functioning of our body. This is because there are both abiotic and biotic factors which can affect us and prevent our body from staying healthy.
Genes can also influence the body, because any faulty gene or faulty protein can prevent the normal functioning of that organ or cell. This affects the entire body. For example, sickle cell anemia where blood cell protein is faulty and mutated at one amino acid spot. Just one amino acid changes the shape of the entire cell and creates problems for the affected person.
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