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Genetic Lingo

Genetic Lingo

Pleiotropy

Pleiotropy

Pleiotropy is the phenomenon in which a single gene impacts multiple, seemingly unrelated phenotypic traits. For example, defects in the SOX10 gene cause Waardenburg Syndrome Type 4, or WS4, which can cause defects in pigmentation, hearing impairments, and an absence of intestinal contractions necessary for elimination. This diversity of phenotypes results from the expression pattern of SOX10 in early embryonic and fetal development. SOX10 is found in neural crest cells that form melanocytes,...

Background and Environment Affect Phenotype

Background and Environment Affect Phenotype

Although the genetic makeup of an organism plays a major role in determining the phenotype, there are also several environmental factors, such as temperature, oxygen availability, presence of mutagens, that can alter an organism’s phenotype.
An example of how genetic background affects phenotype can be seen in horses. The Extension gene in horses is responsible for their coat color. A wild-type gene (EE) produces black pigment in the coat, while a mutant gene (ee) produces red pigment. A...

Test Cross

Test Cross

Alleles are different forms of the same gene. Humans and other diploid organisms inherit two alleles of every gene, one from each parent.

X-linked Traits

X-linked Traits

In most mammalian species, females have two X sex chromosomes and males have an X and Y. As a result, mutations on the X chromosome in females may be masked by the presence of a normal allele on the second X. In contrast, a mutation on the X chromosome in males more often causes observable biological defects, as there is no normal X to compensate. Trait variations arising from mutations on the X chromosome are called “X-linked”.

X-linked Traits

X-linked Traits

In most mammalian species, females have two X sex chromosomes and males have an X and Y. As a result, mutations on the X chromosome in females may be masked by the presence of a normal allele on the second X. In contrast, a mutation on the X chromosome in males more often causes observable biological defects, as there is no normal X to compensate. Trait variations arising from mutations on the X chromosome are called “X-linked”.

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 23, 2026

Automated, Long-term Behavioral Assay for Cognitive Functions in Multiple Genetic Models of Alzheimer's Disease, Using IntelliCage

Automated, Long-term Behavioral Assay for Cognitive Functions in Multiple Genetic Models of Alzheimer's Disease, Using IntelliCage

Published on: August 4, 2018

Exceptional cognitive ability: the phenotype.

David Lubinski¹

¹Department of Psychology and Human Development, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37203, USA. david.lubinski@vanderbilt.edu

Behavior Genetics

|May 9, 2009

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Exceptional cognitive abilities in adolescents predict significant life accomplishments, including advanced degrees and career success. Understanding the genetic and environmental origins of these high abilities is crucial for future research.

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Area of Science:

Behavioral Genetics
Developmental Psychology
Cognitive Science

Background:

Longitudinal studies of intellectually precocious adolescents are now available.
Individual differences in cognitive abilities are measurable even within the top 1%.

Purpose of the Study:

To characterize outcomes associated with exceptional cognitive abilities.
To investigate the link between early cognitive differences and later life accomplishments.
To explore the genetic and environmental origins of extreme cognitive abilities.

Main Methods:

Longitudinal follow-up of large samples of adolescents identified through talent searches.
Assessment of cognitive abilities in early adolescence.
Tracking of life accomplishments over multiple decades.

Main Results:

Cognitive ability levels and patterns predict diverse life outcomes, including doctorate attainment, high earnings, publications, patents, and university tenure.
Differences between the able (top 1%) and exceptionally able (top 0.01%) in early adolescence have lasting impacts.
Specific ability patterns correlate with distinct extraordinary-level phenotypes.

Conclusions:

Individual differences in cognitive abilities during adolescence are significant predictors of long-term life success.
Behavioral genetic research prioritizing the origins of exceptional abilities is warranted due to potential differences in extreme groups.
Studying extreme cognitive abilities can illuminate fundamental determinants of specific intellectual strengths and their resulting phenotypes.