**Some of the content on this page is out of date, please pardon us while we update it for accuracy.**
Below is a list of phenotypes easily identified in humans that follow the pattern of Mendelian inheritance. Look at yourself in the mirror to see if you carry the dominant or recessive alleles for these traits.
Mendelian Traits In Humans
Cleft chin (dominant) | Chin without a cleft (recessive) | |
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Cheek dimples (dominant) |
No cheek dimples (recessive) | |
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Free (dominant) earlobes | Attached (recessive) earlobes | |
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Face freckles (dominant) | No face freckles (recessive) | |
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No Hitchhiker's thumb (dominant) | Hitchhiker's thumb (recessive) | |
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Widow's peak (dominant) | No Widow's peak (recessive) | |
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The expression of traits, however, is often far more complicated than in those listed above or those which Mendel observed in his garden. Sometimes tens, or even hundreds of genes can play a role in just one trait! In some cases, genes can block or exaggerate processes in the cell which change the visible phenotype. In other cases, environmental factors such temperature, light, and nutrient levels influence the development of a phenotype. Below is a list of traits in humans involving interaction between multiple genes.
Non-Mendelian Traits in Humans
Eye color | ||
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Hair Color | ||
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Ability to roll tongue | ||
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References:
List of Mendelian traits in humans. In Wikipedia. Retrieved July 20, 2010, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Mendelian_traits_in_humans
Additional images via Wikimedia. Close up of iris by Petr Novák.
Read more about: Solving a Genetic Mystery
Bibliographic details:
- Article: Human Traits
- Author(s): Dr. Biology
- Publisher: Arizona State University School of Life Sciences Ask A Biologist
- Site name: ASU - Ask A Biologist
- Date published: 20 Jul, 2010
- Date accessed:
- Link: https://askabiologist.asu.edu/mendelian-traits-humans
APA Style
Dr. Biology. (Tue, 07/20/2010 - 11:35). Human Traits. ASU - Ask A Biologist. Retrieved from https://askabiologist.asu.edu/mendelian-traits-humans
Chicago Manual of Style
Dr. Biology. "Human Traits". ASU - Ask A Biologist. 20 Jul 2010. https://askabiologist.asu.edu/mendelian-traits-humans
MLA 2017 Style
Dr. Biology. "Human Traits". ASU - Ask A Biologist. 20 Jul 2010. ASU - Ask A Biologist, Web. https://askabiologist.asu.edu/mendelian-traits-humans
Eye color is not a Mendelian trait because it is controlled by several genes, in addition to other factors.
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