Editing Genetic architecture (section)

== Applications ==
[[File:SimpleGenotypePhenotypeMap.jpg|alt=Genotype-Phenotype Map|thumb|A very simple genotype–phenotype map that only shows additive pleiotropy effects.]]
Genetic architecture can be studied and applied at many different levels. At the most basic, individual level, genetic architecture describes the genetic basis for differences between individuals, species, and populations. This can include, among other details, how many genes are involved in a specific phenotype and how gene interactions, such as epistasis, influence that phenotype.<ref name=":0" /> [http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0010200 Line-cross analyses] and [[Quantitative trait locus|QTL analyses]] can be used to study these differences.<ref name=":1" /> This is perhaps the most common way that genetic architecture is studied, and though it is useful for supplying pieces of information, it does not generally provide a complete picture of the genetic architecture as a whole.

Genetic architecture can also be used to discuss the evolution of populations.<ref name=":0" /> Classical quantitative genetics models, such as that developed by [[Ronald Fisher|R.A. Fisher]], are based on analyses of phenotype in terms of the contributions from different genes and their interactions.<ref name=":2" /> Genetic architecture is sometimes studied using a [[genotype–phenotype map]], which graphically depicts the relationship between the genotype and the phenotype.<ref>{{Cite journal|title = Genotype-Phenotype Maps|journal = Biological Theory|date = 2015-04-14|issn = 1555-5542|pages = 268–279|volume = 1|issue = 3|doi = 10.1162/biot.2006.1.3.268|language = en|first1 = Peter F.|last1 = Stadler|first2 = Bärbel M. R.|last2 = Stadler|citeseerx = 10.1.1.7.2128|s2cid = 520209}}</ref>

Genetic architecture is incredibly important for understanding [[Evolution|evolutionary theory]] because it describes phenotypic variation in its underlying genetic terms, and thus it gives us clues about the evolutionary potential of these variations. Therefore, genetic architecture can help us to answer biological questions about speciation, the evolution of sex and recombination, the survival of small populations, inbreeding, understanding diseases, animal and plant breeding, and more.<ref name=":0" />