What is the term for the inheritance of two traits at a time?

The term that refers to the inheritance of two traits at a time is dihybrid. In genetic studies, the term dihybrid specifically indicates a cross between organisms that differ in two traits, allowing for the exploration of how both traits are inherited simultaneously. This concept is fundamental to understanding Mendelian genetics, as it articulates the principle of independent assortment, where alleles for different traits segregate independently of one another during gamete formation.

When dealing with dihybrid crosses, one can examine the phenotypic ratios that arise, which typically results in a 9:3:3:1 ratio in the offspring, assuming both traits exhibit complete dominance. This is notably different from a monohybrid cross, which deals with a single trait and its inheritance patterns.

The other options represent different concepts in genetics. For example, polygenic inheritance refers to traits controlled by multiple genes, while multigenic could imply an influence from several genes, but it’s less commonly used in the context of inheritance patterns in basic genetics education. Thus, dihybrid is the precise term relevant to the inheritance of two specific traits at a time.