Polygenic inheritance involves a single characteristic controlled by multiple genes, resulting in continuous phenotypic variation, as seen in traits like human skin color and wheat kernel color. Factors affecting skin color include the production of melanin and environmental influences, with implications for health and adaptation to different climates. The document also discusses genetic combinations and the likelihood of varying phenotypes among siblings due to non-identical inheritance patterns.

1. Polygenic Inheritance (AHL)Stephen Taylor10.3 Polygenic Inheritance (AHL)1http://sciencevideos.wordpress.com

2. Polygenic InheritanceA single characteristic controlled by multiple genes. 10.3 Polygenic Inheritance (AHL)2http://sciencevideos.wordpress.com

3. Polygenic InheritanceA single characteristic controlled by multiple genes. Polygenic inheritance gives rise to continuous variation in the phenotype. Use these two examples in the exam. Human Skin ColourWheat kernel colour10.3 Polygenic Inheritance (AHL)3http://sciencevideos.wordpress.com

4. Polygenic InheritanceA single characteristic controlled by multiple genes. Polygenic inheritance gives rise to continuous variation in the phenotype. Use these two examples in the exam. Human Skin ColourWheat kernel colourOther examples: Susceptibility* to heart disease, certain types of cancer, mental illnesses.

5. The Autism Spectrum. Autism is a pervasive developmental disorder that presents on a scale (known as the Childhood Autism Rating Scale). It is not as clearly polygenic as the above examples - it is suspected that gene interactions and environmental factors play a large role.*susceptibility is not deterministic, but it is beneficial to know if you are at elevated genetic risk of these illnesses. 10.3 Polygenic Inheritance (AHL)4http://sciencevideos.wordpress.com

6. Polygenic Inheritance of Skin ColourPolygenic inheritance gives rise to continuous variation in the phenotype.Globally we observecontinuous variation in skin colours. Skin colour is the result of pigments, such as melanin, being produced - the darker the skin, the greater the protection against the harmful effects of the Sun. Skin colour is though to be controlled by up to four separate genes, each with their own alleles. This is too large for us to deal with simply, so we'll look at two genes with two alleles each. Image from:http://www.danacentre.org.uk/events/2007/05/03/25910.3 Polygenic Inheritance (AHL)5http://sciencevideos.wordpress.com

7. Polygenic Inheritance of Skin ColourPolygenic inheritance gives rise to continuous variation in the phenotype.Globally we observecontinuous variation in skin colours. Skin colour is the result of pigments, such as melanin, being produced - the darker the skin, the greater the protection against the harmful effects of the Sun. Skin colour is though to be controlled by up to four separate genes, each with their own alleles. This is too large for us to deal with simply, so we'll look at two genes with two alleles each. Image from:http://www.danacentre.org.uk/events/2007/05/03/259Watch this TED Talk and think about the following questions:What is melanin and what purpose does it serve?

8. What skin tone were early humans most likely to have? Why does this change with latitude as humans migrated towards the poles?

9. What are the relative advantages and disadvantages of light and dark skin, depending on climate?TOK/ Aim 8: Why have people historically discriminated based on skin colour? How could the Natural Sciences educate people to think twice about their prejudices?Nina Jablosnki breaks the illusion of skin colour, via TED. http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/nina_jablonski_breaks_the_illusion_of_skin_color.html10.3 Polygenic Inheritance (AHL)6http://sciencevideos.wordpress.com

10. Polygenic Inheritance of Skin ColourExample: 2 genes (A and B), 2 alleles eachAssume: genes are not linked (separate chromosomes)In polygenics, alleles can be: Contributing (they add to the phenotype)

11. Non-contributing (they do not add to the phenotype)How many genotypes are possible?Key to alleles:A = add melanina = don’t add melaninB = add melaninb = don’t add melanin10.3 Polygenic Inheritance (AHL)7http://sciencevideos.wordpress.com

12. Polygenic Inheritance of Skin ColourExample: 2 genes (A and B), 2 alleles eachAssume: genes are not linked (separate chromosomes)In polygenics, alleles can be: Contributing (they add to the phenotype)

13. Non-contributing (they do not add to the phenotype)How many genotypes are possible?Key to alleles:A = add melanina = don’t add melaninB = add melaninb = don’t add melaninRemember that alleles segregate during meiosis. Alleles of unlinked chromosomes orient randomly. There is also random fertilisation of gametes. So many combinations!orororgametes10.3 Polygenic Inheritance (AHL)8http://sciencevideos.wordpress.com

14. Polygenic Inheritance of Skin ColourExample: 2 genes (A and B), 2 alleles eachAssume: genes are not linked (separate chromosomes)In polygenics, alleles can be: Contributing (they add to the phenotype)

15. Non-contributing (they do not add to the phenotype)How many genotypes are possible?Nine: Key to alleles:A = add melanina = don’t add melaninB = add melaninb = don’t add melaninNotice that the possible combinations of genotypes gives rise to continuous variation in the phenotype. This population follows a normal distribution. 10.3 Polygenic Inheritance (AHL)9http://sciencevideos.wordpress.com

16. Polygenic Inheritance of Skin ColourIs it possible for twins to be:Different colours?Key to alleles:A = add melanina = don’t add melaninB = add melaninb = don’t add melanin10.3 Polygenic Inheritance (AHL)10http://sciencevideos.wordpress.com

17. Polygenic Inheritance of Skin ColourIs it possible for twins to be:Different colours?Key to alleles:A = add melanina = don’t add melaninB = add melaninb = don’t add melaninYES. As long as they are non-identical twins. Two eggs will have been fertilised by individual sperm cells. Each gamete carries a different combination of alleles, so it is possible that the twins have noticeably differently-coloured skin. Couple has differently-coloured twins – for the second time! From Associated Presshttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KgfObCmWJt410.3 Polygenic Inheritance (AHL)11http://sciencevideos.wordpress.com

18. Polygenic Inheritance of Skin ColourIs it possible for twins to be:b. Lighter or darker than both parents?Key to alleles:A = add melanina = don’t add melaninB = add melaninb = don’t add melanin10.3 Polygenic Inheritance (AHL)12http://sciencevideos.wordpress.com

19. Polygenic Inheritance of Skin ColourIs it possible for twins to be:b. Lighter or darker than both parents?Key to alleles:A = add melanina = don’t add melaninB = add melaninb = don’t add melaninF0Phenotype:AABbAaBbGenotype:Punnet Grid:F1Genotypes:Phenotypes:10.3 Polygenic Inheritance (AHL)13http://sciencevideos.wordpress.com

20. Polygenic Inheritance of Skin ColourIs it possible for twins to be:b. Lighter or darker than both parents?Key to alleles:A = add melanina = don’t add melaninB = add melaninb = don’t add melaninF0Phenotype:AABbAaBbGenotype:Punnet Grid:F1Genotypes:Phenotypes:10.3 Polygenic Inheritance (AHL)14http://sciencevideos.wordpress.com

21. Polygenic Inheritance of Skin ColourIs it possible for twins to be:b. Lighter or darker than both parents?Key to alleles:A = add melanina = don’t add melaninB = add melaninb = don’t add melaninF0Phenotype:AABbAaBbGenotype:Punnet Grid:F1Genotypes:Phenotypes:10.3 Polygenic Inheritance (AHL)15http://sciencevideos.wordpress.com

22. Polygenic Inheritance of Skin ColourIs it possible for twins to be:b. Lighter or darker than both parents?Key to alleles:A = add melanina = don’t add melaninB = add melaninb = don’t add melaninYES. F0Phenotype:AABbAaBbGenotype:Punnet Grid:darkerlighterF1Genotypes:Phenotypes:10.3 Polygenic Inheritance (AHL)16http://sciencevideos.wordpress.com

23. Global Evolution of Skin ColourMap of global skin colour distribution from:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_skin_colorWhat are the advantages of:a. Dark skin in hot climates?b. Pale skin in cold climates?10.3 Polygenic Inheritance (AHL)17http://sciencevideos.wordpress.com

24. Global Evolution of Skin ColourMap of global skin colour distribution from:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_skin_colorWhat are the advantages of:a. Dark skin in hot climates?b. Pale skin in cold climates?Protection against UV and therefore skin damage and cancer.Increased production of vitamin D in low-sunlight conditions.10.3 Polygenic Inheritance (AHL)18http://sciencevideos.wordpress.com

25. Global Evolution of Skin ColourMap of global skin colour distribution from:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_skin_colorWhat are the advantages of:a. Dark skin in hot climates?b. Pale skin in cold climates? In this case, the correlation between skin colour and latitude does suggest causality.Protection against UV and therefore skin damage and cancer.Dark-skinned people in cold climates should use vitamin D supplements. Increased production of vitamin D in low-sunlight conditions.Pale-skinned people in hot climates should slip-slop-slap-seek-slide. 10.3 Polygenic Inheritance (AHL)19http://sciencevideos.wordpress.com

26. Polygenic Inheritance of Wheat Kernel ColourInheritance of colour of wheat kernels works in a similar way to human skin colour. A wheat plant which is homozygous dominant for both genes is crossed with one which is heterozygous for both genes. What is the predicted ratio of phenotypes in the cross?Key to alleles:A = add reda = don’t add redB = add redb = don’t add redF0Genotype:Punnet Grid:F110.3 Polygenic Inheritance (AHL)20http://sciencevideos.wordpress.com

27. Polygenic Inheritance of Wheat Kernel ColourInheritance of colour of wheat kernels works in a similar way to human skin colour. A wheat plant which is homozygous dominant for both genes is crossed with one which is heterozygous for both genes. What is the predicted ratio of phenotypes in the cross?Key to alleles:A = add reda = don’t add redB = add redb = don’t add redhomozygous dominant for both genesF0heterozygous for both genesAaBbAABBGenotype:Punnet Grid:F110.3 Polygenic Inheritance (AHL)21http://sciencevideos.wordpress.com

28. Polygenic Inheritance of Wheat Kernel ColourInheritance of colour of wheat kernels works in a similar way to human skin colour. A wheat plant which is homozygous dominant for both genes is crossed with one which is heterozygous for both genes. What is the predicted ratio of phenotypes in the cross?Key to alleles:A = add reda = don’t add redB = add redb = don’t add redhomozygous dominant for both genesF0heterozygous for both genesAaBbAABBGenotype:Punnet Grid:F110.3 Polygenic Inheritance (AHL)22http://sciencevideos.wordpress.com

29. Polygenic Inheritance of Wheat Kernel ColourInheritance of colour of wheat kernels works in a similar way to human skin colour. A wheat plant which is homozygous dominant for both genes is crossed with one which is heterozygous for both genes. What is the predicted ratio of phenotypes in the cross?Key to alleles:A = add reda = don’t add redB = add redb = don’t add redhomozygous dominant for both genesF0heterozygous for both genesAaBbAABBGenotype:Punnet Grid:“All AB”F1Phenotype ratio: 1 very red: 2 Red: 1 pink10.3 Polygenic Inheritance (AHL)23http://sciencevideos.wordpress.com

30. Mathematical QuestionsA trait is controlled by two genes, each with two alleles.How many genotypes & phenotypes are possible for this trait? 10.3 Polygenic Inheritance (AHL)24http://sciencevideos.wordpress.com

31. Mathematical QuestionsKey to alleles:A = contributinga = non-contributingB = contributingb = non-contributingA trait is controlled by two genes, each with two alleles.How many genotypes & phenotypes are possible for this trait? Same!There are 16 combinations of parent alleles, making 9 different genotypes.10.3 Polygenic Inheritance (AHL)25http://sciencevideos.wordpress.com

32. Mathematical QuestionsKey to alleles:A = contributinga = non-contributingB = contributingb = non-contributingA trait is controlled by two genes, each with two alleles.How many genotypes & phenotypes are possible for this trait? 24310There are 16 combinations of parent alleles, making 9 different genotypes.These make up 5 different phenotypes. 10.3 Polygenic Inheritance (AHL)26http://sciencevideos.wordpress.com

33. Mathematical QuestionsKey to alleles:A, B, C = contributingA, b, c = non-contributingA trait is controlled by three genes, each with two alleles.How many genotypes & phenotypes are possible for this trait? 10.3 Polygenic Inheritance (AHL)27http://sciencevideos.wordpress.com

34. Mathematical QuestionsKey to alleles:A, B, C = contributingA, b, c = non-contributingA trait is controlled by three genes, each with two alleles.How many genotypes & phenotypes are possible for this trait? 10.3 Polygenic Inheritance (AHL)28http://sciencevideos.wordpress.com

35. Mathematical QuestionsKey to alleles:A, B, C = contributingA, b, c = non-contributingA trait is controlled by three genes, each with two alleles.How many genotypes & phenotypes are possible for this trait? 10.3 Polygenic Inheritance (AHL)29http://sciencevideos.wordpress.com