Polygenic Traits: Fingerprint Ridge Analysis

Also in this laboratory, the properties of a polygenic trait in humans, fingerprint ridge
patterns, will be examined. Using population data pooled from the genetics class as a
whole, we will demonstrate the quantitative properties of a trait that is not only polygenic
in determination but multifactorial as well. Fingerprint ridge patterns result from
environmental influences on the expression of a number of interacting genes. At least
seven genes are thought to be involved in finger ridge formation (penrose, 1!".
#he inheritance of many behavioral, anatomical and physiological traits is best explained
by a polygenic mode of transmission. #he inheritance of polygenic traits cannot be
analy$ed by the simpler methods appropriate for single%gene traits. &olygenic traits, in
contrast to single%gene traits and chromosomal aberrations, exhibit a wide and continuous
range of expression. 'ften, these traits are considered quantitative traits in that the
phenotype can be measured in a quantitative way (weight, si$e, life%span, (), etc.". #he
polygenic inheritance model describes the nature of fingerprint ridge patterns well.
#here are three ma*or groups of dermal ridge patterns+ ( (" arches, (," loops, and (-"
whorls (see Figure ,". #he arch is the least frequent pattern, subdivided into two groups,
plain (the ridges rise slightly over the middle of the finger" and tented (the ridges rise to a
point in the center". #he loop pattern is more complicated. (t consists of a core and a tri%
radius (a point where three ridge groups meet at angles of about 1,. degrees". #he core is
a ridge surrounded by areas of ridges that turn bac/ on themselves. 0oops are classified
as radial or ulnar depending on the orientation of the core ridge. 1adial loops have a
triradius that is on the side of the little finger, with the loop opening towards the thumb.
#he ulnar loop has a tri%radius that is on the side of the thumb, with the loop opening
towards the little finger. #he whorl pattern on the other hand, has two tri%radii with the
ridges inside the whorl consisting of a number of different patterns.
Pattern Frequency (%)
Arch 2..
1adial 0oop 2.3
Ulnar 0oop !-.2
4horl ,!.1
#able (. Fingerprint pattern frequencies in the general population
#he quantitative trait whose inheritance we will be investigating is called the #'# A0
1(567 8'U9# (#18". #he #18 is the sum of ridge counts on all fingers of both hands.
(n a study by :olt (1!;", the average #18 for males was found to be 132 and for
females it was found to be 1,!.
Prelab:
1ead &enrose<s article about the uses of fingerprint analysis =0. >. &enrose,
5ermatoglyphics. Scientific American ,,1+ ?,%;- (1!"@ before coming to the lab. #his
article provides good technical information and illustrations that will be useful, in
addition to more detailed bac/ground material.
Procedure and Results:
#o prepare a set of your fingerprints, determine your #18, and record your data, you
must first prepare a chart of your ten fingerprints. Use a A, pencil and shade in a -cm
square area on a piece of plain paper to ma/e an <in/< pad. 1ub one of your fingers gently
on the graphite square, ma/ing certain that you have covered all of the tri%radii of the
fingerprint. 9ow carefully place a piece of clear tape onto your blac/ened finger so that
the tape comes in contact with entire print. Ba/e certain that you include any tri%radii on
the outer edges of the finger by rolling the finger over the tape in one continuous motion.
&eel away the tape and affix it to the appropriate place on your chart (unlined paper".
1epeat this process, preparing a print for each of your ten fingers. 7xamine each print
carefullyC if a print is incomplete or smeared, prepare a new one. (f necessary, use a
magnifying glass to classify the pattern (arch, loop, or whorl" and to determine the ridge
count for each print.
#o determine your #18 add together each of your individual ridge counts. Arches have a
ridge count of $ero. For loops, count the number of ridges between the tri%radius and the
center or core of the pattern. For whorls, a ridge count is made from each tri% radius to the
center of the fingerprint and the higher of the two possible counts is recorded. 9ote the
prints in Figure , below+
A : 8
Figure ,. 7xamples of some fingerprint patterns and the #18 for each example. A+ arch
with no tri%radius and ridge count of .C :+ loop with one tri%radius and a ridge count of
1,C 8+ whorl with two tri%radii and a ridge count of 12 (the higher of the two possible
counts"
1ecord your fingerprint pattern data, total ridge count, and sex in the excel spreadsheet
set up by the lab instructor. 8ollect the data from the class (on the 0ab Dome &age" when
available so that you can compare the data for the entire class. Analy$e the data in any
way you find informative (the 5ermatoglyphics paper can be useful for comparisons". At
the very least, be sure to produce bar graphs showing the #18 values plotted versus
numbers of students (frequencies". 5o males and females differ in their ridge counts or
patternsE Dow do you thin/ sample si$e influences your conclusionE 5iscuss your
results, considering the polygenic and multifactorial nature of the fingerprint trait, and the
importance of population si$e and bac/ground.
REFERENCES:
1olt, >. :., The Genetics of Dermal Ridges. >pringfield, (0+ 8harles 8. #homas, 1!;.
&enrose, 0. >., 5ermatoglyphics. Scientific American, ,,1 (!"+ ?,%;-, 1!.
Bendenhall, 6., #. Bertens, and (. Dendrix, Fingerprint ridgecount%A polygenic trait
useful in classroom instruction. The American Biology Teacher, 21 (3"+,.-%,.? , 1;.
4ebb, 5ave.
http+FFwww.botany.hawaii.eduFfacultyFwebbF:'#31.FAngiospermF>eedsF>eed%
!8ereal.html
#able 1. Format for data sheet for fingerprints+ Ad*ust spacing to allow room for placing
fingerprints at indicated locations.
1(6D# DA95
#humb >econd #hird Fourth Fifth
&attern
1idge 8ount
#otal G
&lace &rints
in #his >pace+

07F# DA95
#humb >econd #hird Fourth Fifth
&attern
1idge 8ount
#otal G
&lace &rints
in #his >pace+
#otal 1idge 8ount G (right hand total H left hand total"
The term polygenic inheritance is used to refer to the inheritance of quantitative traits, traits which are influenced
by multiple genes, not just one. In addition to involving multiple genes, polygenic inheritance also looks at the role
of environment in someones development.
!ecause many traits are spread out across a continuum, rather than being divided into black and white
differences, polygenic inheritance helps to e"plain the way in which these traits are inherited and focused. #
related concept is pleiotropy, an instance where one gene influences multiple traits.
$arly %endelian genetics focused on very simple genetic traits which could be e"plained by a single gene. &or
e"ample, a flower might appear in either orange or yellow form, with no gradation between the colors. !y studying
plants and the ways in which they mutated, early researchers were able to learn more about the gene which
determined flower color. 'owever, by the early twentieth century, people were well aware that most traits are far
too comple" to be determined by a single gene, and the idea of polygenic inheritance was born.
(ne easily understood e"ample of polygenic inheritance is height. )eople are not just short or tall* they have a
variety of heights which run along a spectrum. &urthermore, height is also influenced by environment* someone
born with tall genes could become short due to malnutrition or illness, for e"ample, while someone born with short
genes could become tall through genetic therapy. !asic genetics obviously wouldnt be enough to e"plain the wide
diversity of human heights, but polygenic inheritance shows how multiple genes in combination with a persons
environment can influence someones phenotype, or physical appearance.
+kin color is another e"ample of polygenic inheritance, as are many congenital diseases.
!ecause polygenic inheritance is so comple", it can be a very absorbing and frustrating field of study. ,esearchers
may struggle to identify all of the genes which play a role in a particular phenotype, and to identify places where
such genes can go wrong. 'owever, once researchers do learn more about the circumstances which lead to the
e"pression of particular traits, it can be a very rewarding e"perience.
In pleiotropy, on the other hand, one gene is responsible for multiple things. +everal congenital syndromes are
e"amples of pleiotropy, in which a flaw in one gene causes widespread problems for a person. &or e"ample, sickle
cell anemia is a form of pleiotropy, caused by a distinctive mutation in one gene which leads to a host of
symptoms. In addition to causing mutations, pleiotropy also occurs in perfectly normal genes, although researchers
tend to use it to track and understand mutations in particular.
The three basic patterns of fingerprint ridges are the arch, loop, and whorl-

arch- The ridges enter from one side of the finger, rise in the center forming an arc, and then e"it the
other side of the finger.

loop- The ridges enter from one side of a finger, form a curve, and then e"it on that same side.

whorl- ,idges form circularly around a central point on the finger.

# fingerprint in its narrow sense is an impression left by the friction ridges of a human finger.
./0
In a wider
use of the term, fingerprints are the traces of an impression from the friction ridges of any part of a
human or other primate hand. # print from the foot can also leave an impression of friction ridges. #
friction ridge is a raised portion of the epidermis on the digits 1fingers and toes2, the palm of the hand or
the sole of the foot, consisting of one or more connected ridge units of friction ridge skin.
./0
These are
sometimes known as 3epidermal ridges3 which are caused by the underlying interface between
the dermal papillae of the dermis and the interpapillary 1rete2 pegs of the epidermis. These epidermal
ridges serve to amplify vibrations triggered, for e"ample, when fingertips brush across an uneven
surface, better transmitting the signals to sensory nerves involved in fine te"ture perception.
.40
These
ridges may also assist in gripping rough surfaces and may improve surface contact in wet conditions.
.50

Impressions of fingerprints may be left behind on a surface by the natural secretions of sweat from
the eccrine glands that are present in friction ridge skin, or they may be made by ink or other substances
transferred from the peaks of friction ridges on the skin to a relatively smooth surface such as a
fingerprint card.
.60
&ingerprint records normally contain impressions from the pad on the last joint of
fingers and thumbs, although fingerprint cards also typically record portions of lower joint areas of the
fingers.

+ince the early 47th century, fingerprint detection and analysis has been one of the most common and
important forms of crime scene forensic investigation. %ore crimes have been solved with fingerprint
evidence than for any other reason.
.80
This fact necessitated the need for assailants to cover their hands
during the commission of their crimes* thus designating gloves to be the most essential and crucial tool
for any successful criminal perpetrator.
.90.:0