Which is connected with multiple phenotypes ?

Options

A. Epistasis
B. Pleiotropy
C. Polygenic inheritance
D. Mutations

Answer

To solve the question "Which is connected with multiple phenotypes?" we need to analyze the given options: epistasis, pleiotropy, polygenic inheritance, and mutations.

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understanding Epistasis**:
- Epistasis refers to the interaction between genes, where the effect of one gene (the epistatic gene) masks or modifies the effect of another gene (the hypostatic gene). This phenomenon does not directly relate to multiple phenotypes produced by a single gene.
- **Hint**: Think about how genes can interact with each other rather than producing multiple traits.

2. **Understanding Pleiotropy**:
- Pleiotropy is the condition where a single gene influences multiple phenotypic traits. This means that one gene can have several different effects on an organism's phenotype. An example of pleiotropy is phenylketonuria (PKU), where a single gene mutation affects multiple systems in the body.
- **Hint**: Consider how one gene can have various impacts on different traits.

3. **Understanding Polygenic Inheritance**:
- Polygenic inheritance involves multiple genes contributing to a single trait. This results in a continuous range of phenotypes (like height or skin color) rather than distinct categories. While it involves multiple genes, it does not mean that one gene is responsible for multiple phenotypes.
- **Hint**: Focus on the number of genes affecting a single trait rather than one gene affecting multiple traits.

4. **Understanding Mutations**:
- Mutations are changes in the DNA sequence that can lead to changes in phenotype. However, a mutation typically affects a single trait or characteristic rather than producing multiple phenotypes.
- **Hint**: Think about whether a mutation can lead to various traits or just one.

5. **Conclusion**:
- After analyzing all the options, the correct answer is **pleiotropy**, as it is the phenomenon where one gene is responsible for multiple phenotypic effects.

### Final Answer:
The correct answer is **pleiotropy**.