polygenes

9.3

A set of small parts passed from parents that together affect one trait

noun
/ˈpɒlɪˌdʒiːnz/

Specialized

: poligénes

Traits like human height are influenced by many polygenes working together.

Examples

Eye color is determined by the combined effect of several polygenes rather than a single gene.
Scientists study polygenes to understand how complex characteristics are inherited.
Many traits are influenced by multiple polygenes.
The study focused on how polygenes affect height.
Traits like human height are influenced by many polygenes working together.
Eye color is determined by the combined effect of several polygenes rather than a single gene.
Scientists study polygenes to understand how complex characteristics are inherited.

Synonyms

polygene

vspolygenes

Specialized

9.9

A small piece of DNA that with other pieces affects a trait

is the plural form referring to multiple such units acting together

How Much Effect

modifier gene

Specialized

7.2

polygenes

Specialized

9.3

Surface Forms

polygenes plural

polygene singular

Morphology

polygenes = polygene (transparent) = poly + gene + s

The word is transparently formed as the plural of the technical noun 'polygene'.

Etymology

Polygenes comes from the Greek parts poly- 'many' and gene 'birth' or 'origin'. So, it literally means 'many genes' and is used for several genes that each have a small effect but together influence a trait.