Question

which statement describes the difference between dominance and incomplete dominance? a. a recessive trait is completely masked by a dominant trait, but in incomplete dominance both traits are apparent. b. in incomplete dominance, the recessive trait will be masked, but a dominant trait in an organism will display the recessive phenotype. c. a recessive trait is completely masked by a dominant trait, but incomplete dominance produces a blend of the two traits. d. incomplete dominance produces a blend of the two traits, but in dominance both traits are apparent.

Explanation:

• Dominance: In simple dominance, the recessive trait is completely masked by the dominant trait. For example, in pea plants, if \(T\) (tall) is dominant over \(t\) (short), \(Tt\) individuals are tall.
• Incomplete dominance: In incomplete dominance, there is no clear - cut dominant - recessive relationship. Instead, the heterozygous phenotype is a blend of the two homozygous phenotypes. For example, in snapdragons, \(RR\) (red) and \(rr\) (white) parents produce \(Rr\) (pink) offspring.

Answer:

C. A recessive trait is completely masked by a dominant trait, but in incomplete dominance produces a blend of the two traits.