MasteryExams
General Science • BiologyMedium

What is the phenomenon where a single gene influences multiple phenotypic traits?

A. Pleiotropy✓ Correct Answer
B. Epistasis
C. Codominance
D. Polygenic inheritance

💡 Solution & Explanation

Pleiotropy describes the genetic phenomenon where a single gene controls the expression of multiple, seemingly unrelated phenotypic traits. Epistasis occurs when the effect of one gene is modified by one or several other independently inherited genes. Sickle cell anemia is a classic medical example of pleiotropy, where a single point mutation affects hemoglobin structure and leads to numerous systemic complications.

🚩 Report a problem