How do researchers use genetic markers in studies?

Researchers use genetic markers primarily to trace inheritance patterns in studies. Genetic markers are specific sequences in the DNA that can be associated with particular traits or characteristics. By analyzing these markers, scientists can track how these traits are passed from one generation to the next within families or populations. This tracing allows researchers to understand genetic linkages and inheritance patterns, which is crucial for studying genetic disorders, population genetics, and evolutionary biology.

Genetic markers serve as a sort of biological tag, helping scientists to map genes to traits and understand how they are inherited over multiple generations. This contributes to broader applications such as breeding programs, gene therapy, and understanding the genetic basis of diseases.

While other options mention aspects related to genetics, they do not adequately capture the specific role of genetic markers in studying inheritance patterns. For instance, evaluating environmental impacts focuses more on external factors rather than genetic tracing, identifying new species involves taxonomy and classification rather than inheritance, and enhancing agricultural yields relates to broader agricultural practices that may not specifically involve tracing inheritance through genetic markers.