Question

In Mendel's pea plant experiments, which term best describes the white flower trait that is masked by the purple flower trait?

Answer 1

The white flower trait is masked by the purple flower trait because the purple flower trait is the dominant allele, and the white flower trait is the recessive allele. This means that if the gene contains even 1 purple flower allele, it will overpower and mask the white flower allele. The only way for the white flower trait to show up is if both alleles were recessive.