Understanding Recessive Alleles in Genetics: How they Affect Phenotype and Inheritance.

Recessive

An allele that is masked when a dominant allele is present

In genetics, the term “recessive” refers to a specific type of allele that is not expressed (or only partially expressed) in the phenotype of an individual unless it is present in a homozygous state. This means that if an individual has one dominant allele and one recessive allele for a particular trait, only the dominant allele will determine their phenotype. In order for the recessive allele to express its effects, both of the individual’s alleles for that trait must be recessive.

For example, consider the inheritance of eye color in humans. The gene for eye color has two alleles, one for brown eyes (dominant) and one for blue eyes (recessive). If an individual inherits one brown allele and one blue allele, their eye color will be brown because the brown allele is dominant. However, if both of their alleles are blue, then their phenotype will be blue eyes because the recessive allele is expressed.

It is important to note that recessive alleles are still present in the individual’s genome and can be passed on to their offspring, even if they are not expressed in the individual’s phenotype. This means that while an individual may not display a particular trait, they can still carry the allele for that trait and pass it on to their children.

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