Question

Briefly explain how genes affecting a polygenic characteristic are located with the use of QTL mapping.

Answer 1

Answer:

QTLs can be identified by using molecular markers associated with the variation of the trait

Explanation:

A Qualitative Trait Locus (QTL) is a chromosomal region correlated with the variation of a quantitative trait, i.e., a phenotypic trait controlled by many genes. QTL mapping refers to the identification of QTLs associated with a particular trait. In QTL mapping, molecular markers (i.e., small and identifiable DNA fragments) are used to develop genetic linkage maps which are further used to discover QTLs. This technique (QTL mapping) consists of evaluating the phenotypic segregation of the trait in the progeny by statistically correlating phenotypes with patterns of genetic segregation (segregation of the molecular markers).