Question

Gene that tend to fade into the background when paired with a more dominant gene are called?

1) Recessive genes
2) Dominant genes
3) Incomplete genes
4) Polygenic genes

Answer 1

Recessive genes are only expressed when two copies are present (homozygous recessive). Dominant genes, on the other hand, are expressed even if only one copy is present (heterozygous or homozygous dominant).

Step-by-step explanation:

Genes that tend to fade into the background when paired with a more dominant gene are called recessive genes. These genes are not expressed in the phenotype when paired with a dominant allele. According to Gregor Mendel's principles, for a recessive trait to be expressed in an individual's phenotype, the individual must possess two copies of the recessive allele, meaning they must be homozygous recessive.

Contrary to a dominant gene, which is expressed in both homozygous 'AA' and heterozygous 'Aa' genotypes, a recessive gene is only expressed phenotypically in the homozygous 'aa' form. Therefore, individuals with one dominant and one recessive allele ('Aa') will display the dominant trait. Meanwhile, alternative patterns of inheritance such as incomplete dominance result in an intermediate phenotype, like in the case of snapdragons, where the crossing of red-flowered and white-flowered plants results in pink-flowered offspring.