Understanding Dominant Alleles and Their Impact on Genetic Traits and Diseases

Dominant Allele:

An allele that can mask the recessive, and you only need 1 to see

A dominant allele refers to a genetic trait that is expressed phenotypically even when only one copy of the gene is present in an individual’s genotype. Dominant alleles are denoted using a capital letter, while their recessive counterparts are indicated with a lowercase letter.

For example, the brown eye color is a dominant trait, represented by the letter “B.” If an individual receives one copy of the brown eye allele from one parent and a blue eye allele “b” from the other parent, he or she will have brown eyes because the “B” allele is dominant over the “b” allele.

In genetics, it is essential to understand the dominance of alleles because it affects the likelihood of an individual inheriting a particular trait or disease. Dominant traits are more likely to be expressed, and hence, individuals with the dominant allele are more likely to display the phenotype.

More Answers: