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Enzyme polymorphism in forest trees

Informally Refereed

Abstract

In studies of genetic differences among trees, forest biologists have found that variations fall into two categories. In the first, characterized by metric traits, the phenotypic response results from the combined activity of many genes having minor effects. In the other, characterized by mutants and some resin and disease resistance factors, the phenotypic response results from the activity of a few genes having major effects.

The genetic analysis of enzymes falls into both categories. Enzyme polymorphs are likely to have only slight effect on tree phenotypes. But they allow the specific classification of individuals that result from segregation of single genes.

Before I discuss how information from genetic analysis of enzymes can be applied to the study of forest trees, let me first review some basic concepts about enzymes and inheritance.

Citation

Conkle, M. T. 1974. Enzyme polymorphism in forest trees. In: Proceedings of the Third North American Forest Biology Workshop, 9-12 September 1974, Colorado State University. C. P. P. Reid and G, H. Fechner [eds.]: p. 95-105
https://www.fs.usda.gov/research/treesearch/32837