Final answer:
The statement that all white cats with blue eyes are always deaf is false; while there is a genetic predisposition, not every white cat with blue eyes is deaf.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement "White cats with blue eyes are always deaf" is a false statement. Not all white cats with blue eyes are deaf, but there is a higher incidence of deafness in white cats with blue eyes due to a genetic link between the coat and eye color and hearing. The gene responsible for the white coat and blue eyes can sometimes affect the inner ear's development, leading to congenital deafness. However, not all cats with this phenotype are affected, making the statement an overgeneralization.
In biology, this phenomenon of varying traits like fur color or hearing ability based on genes is a fascinating aspect of genetics. Just as animals have different sensory capabilities, such as some pets hearing sounds that humans can't, genes can affect the development of those senses. In color perception, for example, dogs have limited color vision compared to humans because they have just two types of cone cells versus humans with three, affecting their ability to distinguish certain colors.