Understanding the Principle of Dominance in Genetics: Exploring Alleles and Phenotypes

the principle of dominance states ________.

The principle of dominance in genetics states that when two different forms of a gene, known as alleles, are present in an individual, the allele that is expressed or observed in the phenotype will be the dominant allele, while the allele that is not observed in the phenotype will be the recessive allele

The principle of dominance in genetics states that when two different forms of a gene, known as alleles, are present in an individual, the allele that is expressed or observed in the phenotype will be the dominant allele, while the allele that is not observed in the phenotype will be the recessive allele. This means that the dominant allele will mask the effects of the recessive allele, leading to the expression of the dominant trait.

For example, let’s consider a gene that determines eye color with two possible alleles: blue (B) and brown (b). The blue eye allele is dominant, while the brown eye allele is recessive. If an individual carries one blue allele and one brown allele (Bb), the individual’s phenotype would have blue eyes because the blue allele is dominant and masks the effects of the brown allele. In order for an individual to have brown eyes, they would need to carry two copies of the recessive allele (bb).

The principle of dominance helps explain the inheritance patterns observed in genetic crosses. It also provides a foundation for understanding how genetic traits are passed on from one generation to the next, allowing researchers to predict the likelihood of certain traits appearing in offspring.

More Answers: