Practice question

Molecular markers detect variation at DNA level, offering neutrality, abundance and independence from environmental influence, unlike morphological and cytological markers that are limited and affected by environment. They are ideal for mapping quantitative trait loci controlling complex polygenic traits, tracking introgression of target genes and performing background selection to accelerate recurrent parent genome recovery in breeding programs. Biochemical markers such as isozymes show limited polymorphism. High throughput, codominance and genome coverage make molecular markers indispensable for modern linkage and breeding applications.