Polygenic traits are characterized by what feature?

Polygenic traits are characterized by their dependence on multiple genes, which interact to influence a specific phenotype. Unlike traits governed by a single gene, polygenic traits result in a continuous variation of phenotypes, such as height, skin color, and weight. This means that the expression of polygenic traits often results in a range of possible outcomes rather than distinct categories.

The cumulative effect of several genes, each contributing a small amount to the overall phenotype, leads to this variability. The combined action of these multiple genes reflects the complexity of inheritance for such traits, underlining the fact that genetics is often more intricate than simple Mendelian inheritance patterns where single-gene traits are involved. This is why the correct answer focuses on the influence of multiple genes for polygenic traits.