Question

What information can be inferred if the estimated heritability of a trait is approximately 0.50?

Answer 1

Answer:

Variability in a trait is due to a combination of environmental and genetic factors, where at least 50% can be attributed to genetic differences.

Explanation:

The heritability of a trait is the influence of both, environment and genes, on the phenotype variation among individuals. The proportion between phenotypic variation and variation in genetic values is defined as heritability.

There are 2 types of heritability: Broad sense (genetic variation due to dominance and epistasis) and Narrow sense (genetic variation due to additive genetic values).

Heritability estimation is based on observations and empirical data analysis, which used mathematical models like Breeder's equation and statistical analysis. An 0,50 value indicates that variability in a trait is due to a combination of environmental and genetic factors, and genetic differences among individuals account for 50% of the variability in the trait, so it can be inferred that the trait is very complex, like a multifactorial condition, for which the environment can play an important role.

Answer 2

At least 50% of the variation in the trait in the population is due to genetic differences.