How are Dominant and Recessive Traits Inherited?

In the world of genetics, traits are physical or biochemical characteristics that are passed down from parents to their offspring. These traits can be determined by a single gene or by a combination of genes, and they can be either dominant or recessive.

Dominant Traits

A dominant trait is an allele that is expressed in an individual even if only one copy of the allele is present. In other words, if an individual inherits one dominant allele and one recessive allele, the dominant allele will be expressed and the recessive allele will be masked.

For example, brown eyes are a dominant trait, while blue eyes are a recessive trait. If an individual inherits one brown eye allele and one blue eye allele, the brown eye allele will be expressed and the blue eye allele will be masked. This means that the individual will have brown eyes.

Recessive Traits

A recessive trait is an allele that is only expressed in an individual if both copies of the allele are present. In other words, if an individual inherits two recessive alleles, the recessive trait will be expressed.

For example, blue eyes are a recessive trait, while brown eyes are a dominant trait. If an individual inherits two blue eye alleles, the blue eye allele will be expressed and the brown eye allele will be masked. This means that the individual will have blue eyes.

How are Dominant and Recessive Traits Inherited?

Traits are inherited through the process of meiosis and fertilization. Meiosis is the process by which sex cells (eggs and sperm) are produced. During meiosis, the chromosomes in the cell are duplicated and then separated into two daughter cells. Each daughter cell receives one copy of each chromosome. Fertilization is the process by which a sperm cell and an egg cell combine to form a zygote. The zygote contains one copy of each chromosome from the sperm cell and one copy of each chromosome from the egg cell.

The genotype of an individual is the combination of alleles that they inherit for a particular trait. The phenotype of an individual is the observable expression of their genotype.

For example, an individual who inherits two dominant alleles for brown eyes will have a genotype of BB and a phenotype of brown eyes. An individual who inherits one dominant allele for brown eyes and one recessive allele for blue eyes will have a genotype of Bb and a phenotype of brown eyes. An individual who inherits two recessive alleles for blue eyes will have a genotype of bb and a phenotype of blue eyes.

Conclusion

The inheritance of dominant and recessive traits is a fundamental concept in genetics. By understanding how these traits are inherited, we can better understand how our own traits are determined and how these traits are passed down to our children.

Also Read: How To Make Black Frosting

Recommend: Can You Open Apps In Safe Mode

Related Posts: How Do You Solve A Related Rate Problem

Also Read: How To Get Rid Of Pus Filled Pimples

Recommend: What String Do You Use For Beaded Animals