(QTL). A genetic locus or chromosomal region that contributes to variability in complex quantitative traits (such as height or body weight), as identified by statistical analysis. Quantitative traits are typically affected by several genes and by the environment.
The set of genes that governs the quantity of a trait that is not completely determined by any one gene acting alone.
The chromosomal location of one of a set of genes that collectively encode a quantitative trait that varies continuously across a population.
(QTL) A locus that affects a quantitative trait. The plural form (quantitative trait loci) is also abbreviated as QTL.
a gene that underlies a continuously varying trait, such as height, weight or blood pressure
polymorphic site on a chromosome containing alleles that differentially influence the expression of a quantitative trait.
(QTL) A gene locus that contributes to a complex trait.
Inheritance of quantitative traits refers to the inheritance of a phenotypic characteristic that varies in degree and can be attributed to the interactions between two or more genes and their environment (also called Polygenic inheritance). Though not necessarily genes themselves, quantitative trait loci (QTLs) are stretches of DNA that are closely linked to the genes that underlie the trait in question. QTLs can be molecularly identified (for example, with PCR) to help map regions of the genome that contain genes involved in specifying a quantitative trait.