Mendelian traits behave according to the model of monogenic or simple
gene inheritance in which one gene corresponds to one trait.
Discrete traits (as opposed to continuously varying traits such as height) with simple Mendelian inheritance patterns are relatively rare in nature, and many of the clearest examples in humans cause
disorders. Discrete traits found in humans are common examples for teaching genetics.
Mendelian model
According to the model of
Mendelian inheritance,
alleles may be
dominant or recessive, one allele is inherited from each parent, and only those who inherit a recessive allele from each parent exhibit the recessive
phenotype. Offspring with either one or two copies of the dominant allele will display the dominant phenotype.
OMIM (Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man)[3] is a comprehensive database of human genotype–phenotype links. Many visible human traits that exhibit high heritability were included in the older McKusick's
Mendelian Inheritance in Man. Before the discovery of
genotyping, they were used as
genetic markers in medicolegal practice, including in cases of disputed
paternity.
Human traits with probable or uncertain simple inheritance patterns
^Hadžiselimović R. (2005): Bioanthropology - Biodiversity of recent man. Institute for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (INGEB), Sarajevo,
ISBN9958-9344-2-6. (in Bosnian).
^McKusick, Victor A.; O'Neill, Marla J. F. (22 November 2010).
"Apocrine Gland Secretion, Variation in". Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man. Johns Hopkins University. 117800.
^Scott, C. I. (1971). "Unusual facies, joint hypermobility, genital anomaly and short stature: A new dysmorphic syndrome". Birth Defects Original Article Series. 7 (6): 240–246.
PMID5173168.
^Tüzün, Yalçın; Karaku, Özge (2009).
"Leukonychia"(PDF). Journal of the Turkish Academy of Dermatology. JTAD. Archived from
the original(PDF) on 2016-03-03. Retrieved 2015-02-23.