Three Meanings of Dominant: Genetics, Music, and BDSM

Dominant

A _____ allele masks the expression of an alternate form of that same gene.

Dominant can refer to a few different concepts depending on the context. Below are explanations of three possible meanings:

1. In genetics, dominant refers to an allele (a version of a gene) that is expressed in the phenotype (observable traits of an organism) when present in the genotype (the genetic makeup of an organism) alongside another allele. For example, if an individual inherits one copy of an allele for brown eyes and one copy of an allele for blue eyes, and brown eyes are dominant while blue eyes are recessive, the individual will have brown eyes because the dominant brown-eye allele is expressed.

2. In music, dominant refers to the fifth scale degree in a diatonic scale. For example, in the key of C major, G is the dominant note because it is the fifth note in the C major scale. The dominant note has a strong tendency to resolve to the tonic (the first scale degree) and is often used to create tension that resolves to a feeling of stability.

3. In BDSM (Bondage, Discipline, Sadism, and Masochism), dominant refers to a person who takes on a dominant role in a sexual or power exchange dynamic. The dominant person takes control and makes decisions on behalf of the submissive partner, who consents to this power dynamic. Dominance in this context can involve physical actions (such as restraining or punishing the submissive partner) or psychological actions (such as creating rules or tasks for the submissive partner to follow). The goal of dominance in BDSM is to create a consensual power dynamic that is pleasurable and fulfilling for both partners.

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