Mendelian traits behave according to the model of monogenic or simple gene inheritance in which one gene corresponds to one trait. Discrete traits (as opposed to continuously varying traits such as height) with simple Mendelian inheritance patterns are relatively rare in nature, and many of the clearest examples in humans cause disorders. Discrete traits found in humans are common examples for teaching genetics.
According to the model of Mendelian inheritance, alleles may be dominant or recessive, one allele is inherited from each parent, and only those who inherit a recessive allele from each parent exhibit the recessive phenotype. Offspring with either one or two copies of the dominant allele will display the dominant phenotype.
OMIM (Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man)[3] is a comprehensive database of human genotype–phenotype links. Many visible human traits that exhibit high heritability were included in the older McKusick's Mendelian Inheritance in Man. Before the discovery of genotyping, they were used as genetic markers in medicolegal practice, including in cases of disputed paternity.
Human traits with probable or uncertain simple inheritance patterns
^Hadžiselimović R. (2005): Bioanthropology - Biodiversity of recent man. Institute for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (INGEB), Sarajevo, ISBN9958-9344-2-6. (in Bosnian).
^McKusick, Victor A.; O'Neill, Marla J. F. (22 November 2010). "Apocrine Gland Secretion, Variation in". Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man. Johns Hopkins University. 117800.
^Scott, C. I. (1971). "Unusual facies, joint hypermobility, genital anomaly and short stature: A new dysmorphic syndrome". Birth Defects Original Article Series. 7 (6): 240–246. PMID5173168.
^Tüzün, Yalçın; Karaku, Özge (2009). "Leukonychia"(PDF). Journal of the Turkish Academy of Dermatology. JTAD. Archived from the original(PDF) on 2016-03-03. Retrieved 2015-02-23.