Join thousands of students who trust us to help them ace their exams!Watch the first video
Multiple Choice
An allele that exerts its effects whenever it is present is:
A
Recessive.
B
Heterozygous.
C
Dominant.
D
Homozygous.
E
Homologous.
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the concept of alleles: Alleles are different forms of a gene that can exist at a specific locus on a chromosome. They can be dominant or recessive.
Define dominant allele: A dominant allele is one that expresses its trait even when only one copy is present in the genotype. It masks the effect of a recessive allele when both are present.
Consider the options: Recessive alleles require two copies to express their trait, heterozygous refers to having two different alleles, homozygous means having two identical alleles, and homologous refers to structures that are similar due to shared ancestry.
Identify the correct term: Since the allele exerts its effects whenever it is present, it must be dominant, as dominant alleles express their traits in both homozygous and heterozygous conditions.
Conclude the explanation: Dominant alleles are key in determining phenotypes because they can express their traits with just one copy, unlike recessive alleles which need two copies to be expressed.