Quantitative genetics

Quantitative genetics studies how genetic and environmental factors shape continuously varying traits. It uses statistical models to describe inheritance, variation, and resemblance among relatives.

Phenotypic variance: The total variation in an observed trait across individuals in a population. Quantitative genetics partitions this variation into genetic, environmental, and other components.
Mendelian inheritance: The transmission of alleles from parents to offspring according to patterns first described by Gregor Mendel. Quantitative traits often reflect the combined effects of many Mendelian factors.
Animal breeding: The planned mating of animals to increase the frequency of desired inherited traits. Breeders use estimated genetic merit to choose parents for future generations.
Population genetics: The study of genetic variation and its change within and among populations. It emphasizes allele-frequency change, while quantitative genetics often models trait variation.
Heritability: The proportion of phenotypic variation in a population attributable to genetic variation under specified conditions. It summarizes how much observed trait variation is associated with genetic differences.
Allele: One of the alternative forms of a genetic sequence at a particular locus. Differences among alleles provide genetic variation underlying trait differences.
Plant breeding: The development of plant varieties with desired traits through selection and crossing. Quantitative trait models help predict gains in yield, quality, and resilience.
Molecular genetics: The study of gene structure, function, and molecular processes governing inheritance. It examines molecular mechanisms beneath the statistical patterns modeled here.
Additive genetic variance: The component of genetic variance arising from the average effects of alleles. It predicts resemblance between relatives and response to selection.
Genetic linkage: The tendency of genetic variants near one another on a chromosome to be inherited together. Linkage shapes how genetic effects are transmitted and mapped.

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