Exercise 1

  1. Discuss the similarities and differences between i) monogenic traits, ii) polygenic traits, and iii) multifactorial traits in terms of [but not exclusive to]:
    • Genetic architecture plot
    • Mendelian inheritance
    • Number of risk variants
    • Non-genetic influence
    • Example traits
    • Other



Exercise 2

Consider a multifactorial disease that occurs twice as frequently in males as in females.

  1. Draw a liability distribution curve for the population and indicate the respective thresholds for males and females.
  2. Identify which parental combination carries the highest risk of having affected children and briefly explain why:
    • Affected mother and healthy father.
    • Affected father and healthy mother.
  3. Which offspring gender has the highest recurrence risk?