recessive traits
Masked genetic features
Recessive traits are characteristics that appear only when an organism inherits two copies of the responsible gene variant—one from each parent.
A single dominant copy masks the recessive one, so carriers can pass on traits they don't visibly express: Blue eyes are recessive; both parents must carry the gene.
The term comes from genetics but appears in broader discussions of inheritance and heredity.
- homozygousHaving identical alleles
- recessive geneAllele expressed only when paired
- albinismInherited melanin deficiency
- Punnett squareHeredity prediction diagram
- genotypeOrganism's complete allele set
allele · DNA sequence · prenatal testing · test tube baby · nature vs nurture · masked · latent · hidden · unexpressed · Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium · carrier · genetic lottery · cystic fibrosis · Tay-Sachs disease · mutation · Mendel · breeding · offspring
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