Multiple Choice
What is the difference between heterozygous and homozygous individuals?
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12. Meiosis
Genes & Alleles
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How many copies of a recessive allele are needed for the trait to be expressed in an organism?
A
One copy
B
Two copies
C
Three copies
D
Four copies
Verified step by step guidance1
Understand the concept of alleles: Alleles are different forms of a gene that can exist at a specific locus on a chromosome. In diploid organisms, which have two sets of chromosomes, each gene is represented by two alleles.
Learn about dominant and recessive alleles: A dominant allele is one that expresses its trait even if only one copy is present. A recessive allele requires two copies (one from each parent) to express the trait.
Consider the genetic makeup of diploid organisms: Diploid organisms have two alleles for each gene, one inherited from each parent. For a recessive trait to be expressed, both alleles must be recessive.
Apply the concept to the problem: Since a recessive trait requires two recessive alleles to be expressed, the organism must have two copies of the recessive allele.
Conclude with the understanding that the expression of a recessive trait in a diploid organism requires two copies of the recessive allele.
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