What is polyphenism?
Q: What is polyphenism?
A: Polyphenism is a type of polymorphism where different forms of an animal are caused by a single genotype.
Q: What determines which form develops in polyphenism?
A: The environment determines which form develops in polyphenism.
Q: How does polyphenism differ from genetic polymorphism?
A: Polyphenism differs from genetic polymorphism because in genetic polymorphism, each morph (form) inherits a slightly different genome, but in polyphenism, the animal inherits a developmental switch that is sensitive to some environmental cue or trigger.
Q: What is a developmental switch?
A: In polyphenism, a developmental switch is what the animal inherits that is sensitive to some environmental cue or trigger.
Q: What is an example of a polyphenic trait in animals?
A: An example of a polyphenic trait in animals is the sex of crocodiles, which is determined by the prevailing temperature.
Q: Is the gender of crocodiles a result of sex linkage?
A: No, the gender of crocodiles is not determined by the usual sex linkage.
Q: What does polyphenism require an animal to inherit?
A: Polyphenism requires an animal to inherit a developmental switch that is sensitive to some environmental cue or trigger.
