Polydactyl - GCSE Biology Definition

Polydactyl is a genetic condition where a person or animal is born with extra fingers or toes. It is caused by a dominant allele, meaning only one copy of the gene is needed for the trait to be expressed. The extra digits are usually harmless and can be removed if necessary. Polydactylism can occur in humans and some animals, such as cats. In GCSE biology, this condition is an example of how genetic information can influence physical traits, and it helps scientists understand how genes control body development and variation.