Which process involves many genes contributing to an inherited trait?

The polygenic process is characterized by the involvement of multiple genes that contribute to a single inherited trait. This is pivotal in understanding how traits such as height, skin color, and susceptibility to various diseases arise. Instead of being governed by a single gene, these traits are influenced by the combined effects of many genes, each contributing a small effect to the overall phenotype.

This concept is important in the field of genetics and psychology because it highlights the complexity of inheritance and how various genetic factors interact with environmental influences to shape an individual's characteristics. In contrast, monogenic inheritance refers to traits that are controlled by a single gene, while Mendelian genetics focuses on inheritance patterns established by Gregor Mendel, which often pertain to single traits influenced by single genes. Genetic drift, on the other hand, is a mechanism of evolution that occurs due to random changes in allele frequencies in a population, independent of the adaptive value of the traits. Understanding these concepts helps clarify how different traits can be influenced and inherited across generations.