What type of trait is eye color in humans considered?

Prepare for the HOSA Biomedical Laboratory Test. Use flashcards and multiple-choice questions with hints and explanations to ace your exam!

Eye color in humans is classified as a polygenic trait because it is determined by the interaction of multiple genes. Polygenic traits are influenced by more than one gene, each contributing to the variation of the trait. In the case of eye color, several genes work together to produce a wide spectrum of colors, such as brown, blue, green, and hazel. The additive effects of these multiple alleles result in the different phenotypic expressions of eye color.

This genetic complexity distinguishes polygenic traits from those influenced by a single gene or allele, which would not provide the same range of variation. The enrichening involvement of multiple genes reflects how traits like eye color can present in numerous shades and mixtures, influenced by factors like inheritance from parents. This characteristic nature of polygenic traits shows that human characteristics, including eye color, result from a collaborative genetic framework rather than a straightforward inheritance path.

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