Why are most polygenic characters described in quantitative terms?

Most polygenic characters are described in quantitative terms because they are influenced by multiple genes, each contributing a small effect to the overall phenotype. This results in a continuous range of phenotypic expression, such as height or skin color, rather than discrete categories. Quantitative measurements allow for the assessment of average traits across populations, facilitating statistical analysis and understanding of inheritance patterns. Additionally, these traits often exhibit a normal distribution, making quantitative descriptions more meaningful and applicable in biological research.