Biology 325: Lecture 16- Multifactorial traits and Twin Studies

Outline:

I. Polygenic and Multifactorial traits

II. Methods to Study Multifactorial Traits

III. Twin Studies

IV. Genetic Clues to Obesity

I. Polygenic and Multifactorial traits

A. Polygenic traits

B. Multifactorial Traits

1. Continuous distribution

2. Mean and Variance

3. Skin color as a multifactorial trait

II. Methods to Study Multifactorial Traits

A. Heritability

1. What is heritability?

2. Correlations between relatives

3. Realized heritability

III. Twin Studies

A. Identical twins vs. fraternal twins

B. Concordance

IV. Genetic Clues to Obesity

A. Twin Studies

B. DNA level