Quantitative Genetics
Quantitative genetics is a branch of genetics that focuses on the inheritance and variation of complex traits influenced by multiple genes and environmental factors, rather than single-gene Mendelian traits. It uses statistical methods to analyze phenotypic data, estimate genetic parameters like heritability, and predict breeding values in populations. This field is fundamental in agriculture, evolutionary biology, and human genetics for understanding traits such as crop yield, disease resistance, and height.
Developers should learn quantitative genetics when working in bioinformatics, agricultural technology, or genetic data analysis, as it provides tools for modeling polygenic traits and optimizing breeding programs. It is essential for applications like genomic selection in livestock, plant breeding simulations, and analyzing genome-wide association studies (GWAS) in human genetics. Knowledge of this concept enables the development of algorithms for genetic prediction and population genetics software.