Question

a pea 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:

For a recessive trait (like in pea plants, e.g., wrinkled seeds), a plant expressing it must have two identical recessive alleles for that gene. Let's analyze:

• First option: If recessive, it can't be identical to a parent with dominant (unless parent is recessive too, but not general).
• Second option: Different alleles would mean heterozygous, showing dominant trait, not recessive.
• Third option: Correct, as recessive trait is expressed when two recessive (identical) alleles are present.
• Fourth option: Inheritance of traits follows Mendelian genetics, so the process is same.

Answer:

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