Question

ea plant exhibits a recessive trait. which statement is most likely true about the plant?
the plant is identical to its parent plant.
the plant has different alleles for the gene that codes for the trait.
the plant has two identical alleles for the gene that codes for the trait.
the plant does not have the same genes for the trait as its parent plant.

Explanation:

To determine the correct statement, we recall the principles of genetics: A recessive trait is expressed only when an organism has two copies of the recessive allele (homozygous recessive).

• The first option is incorrect because offspring inherit a combination of genes from parents and are not identical.
• The second option is incorrect because having different alleles (heterozygous) would express the dominant trait, not the recessive one.
• The third option is correct: For a recessive trait to be expressed, the plant must have two identical recessive alleles (e.g., aa for a trait where A is dominant and a is recessive).
• The fourth option is incorrect because offspring inherit genes from their parents, so they can have the same genes for a trait as their parents.

Answer:

The plant has two identical alleles for the gene that codes for the trait.