quantitative inheritance The inheritance of a character (known as a quantitative character or trait) that depends upon the cumulative action of many genes, each of which produces only a small effect. Examples of such quantitative characters include clutch size in birds, milk production in cattle, and weight and skin pigmentation in humans. Usually the character shows continuous variation (i.e. a gradation from one extreme to the other). Compare QUALITATIVE INHERITANCE.

quantitative inheritance The inheritance of a character (known as a quantitative character or quantitative trait) that depends upon the cumulative action of many genes, each of which produces only a small effect. Examples of such quantitative characters include clutch size in birds, milk production in cattle, weight and skin pigmentation in humans, spore production in ferns, height of trees, and nectar production in buttercups. Usually the character shows continuous variation (i.e. a gradation from one extreme to the other). Compare qualitative inheritance.

quantitative inheritance An inheritance of a character that depends upon the cumulative action of many genes, each of which produces only a small effect. Examples of such quantitative characters include spore production in ferns, height of trees, and nectar production in buttercups. Usually the character shows continuous variation, i.e. a gradation from one extreme to the other.Compare QUALITATIVE INHERITANCE.

quantitative inheritance See polygenic inheritance.