Which one of the following is an example of polygenic inheritance ?

Options

A. Flower colour in Mirabilis jalapa
B. Production of male honey bee
C. Pod shape in garden pea
D. Skin colour in humans

Answer

To determine which of the options is an example of polygenic inheritance, we need to understand what polygenic inheritance is and analyze each option provided.

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understand Polygenic Inheritance**:
- Polygenic inheritance refers to a situation where a single trait is controlled by multiple genes. This results in a continuous range of phenotypes rather than discrete categories.

2. **Analyze the Options**:
- **Option A: Flower color in Mirabilis jalapa**:
- This is an example of incomplete dominance, where red and white flowers can produce pink flowers. This does not represent polygenic inheritance.

- **Option B: Production of male honey bee**:
- The production of male honey bees is determined by a single gene (haplodiploidy), not multiple genes, so this is not an example of polygenic inheritance.

- **Option C: Pod shape in garden pea**:
- Pod shape in garden peas is controlled by a few genes, but it does not exhibit the continuous variation typical of polygenic traits. Thus, it is not a classic example of polygenic inheritance.

- **Option D: Skin color in humans**:
- Skin color is a well-known example of polygenic inheritance. It is influenced by multiple genes, resulting in a wide range of skin tones among individuals.

3. **Conclusion**:
- After analyzing all options, the correct answer is **Option D: Skin color in humans**, as it exemplifies polygenic inheritance.

### Final Answer:
**Option D: Skin color in humans** is an example of polygenic inheritance.