1. having multiple effects on an organism, especially referring to a gene that influences more than one trait
Usage: genetics; biology

Examples

• The pleiotropic gene affected both eye color and wing development in the fruit flies.
• Researchers discovered that the mutation had pleiotropic effects on metabolism and growth.
• Many genetic disorders result from pleiotropic genes that control multiple biological pathways.
• The pleiotropic nature of the gene made it difficult to predict all the consequences of the mutation.
• Scientists study pleiotropic effects to understand how single genes can influence complex traits.
• The pleiotropic gene was responsible for changes in both bone density and muscle mass.