Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Quantitative genetics deals with traits that are controlled by multiple genes, which are known as polygenes.
This branch of genetics explains how continuous variation occurs in phenotypes.
Step 3: Detailed Explanation:
The term "polygene" was coined by the English geneticist Kenneth Mather in 1941.
He used this term to describe a group of genes that individually have a small, cumulative effect on a quantitative trait, such as height, weight, or crop yield.
Thomas Hunt Morgan is famous for his work on linkage and crossing over in Drosophila.
Hermann Joseph Muller is known for discovering the mutagenic effects of X-rays on DNA.
Gregor Mendel is recognized as the father of classical genetics.
Step 4: Final Answer
The term polygene was introduced by Kenneth Mather.