What type of inheritance is characterized by the involvement of multiple genes?

The correct choice is multifactorial inheritance because this type of inheritance involves the interaction of multiple genes, often coupled with environmental factors, to influence a particular trait or condition. Unlike single-gene disorders, where a specific gene mutation leads to a clear phenotype, multifactorial inheritance results in traits that are typically quantitative, like height or blood pressure, which cannot be attributed to a single genetic change but rather a combination of several genetic and environmental factors.

For instance, conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, and certain types of cancer arise from this multifactorial model, where genetics play a significant role in predisposition but are also influenced by lifestyle choices and environmental exposures. This complexity differentiates it from the other types of inheritance listed.

Other types, like autosomal recessive inheritance and X-linked recessive inheritance, are characterized by the impact of a single gene or a single mutation, leading to more straightforward inheritance patterns. Simple Mendelian inheritance follows well-defined patterns as seen in classic genetics, where traits are determined by single genes, making them less complex and not involving multiple genes in the trait's expression.