What inheritance pattern results in a blending of parental traits in offspring?

What inheritance pattern results in a blending of parental traits in offspring?

• A. Multiple alleles
• B. Co-dominance
• C. Dominant
• D. Incomplete dominance

Answer: (D)

The inheritance pattern that results in a blending of parental traits in offspring is described as incomplete dominance. In this type of inheritance, neither allele is completely dominant over the other, leading to a hybrid phenotype that is an intermediate of the two parental traits. For example, if a red flower (RR) is crossed with a white flower (WW), the offspring (RW) may display a pink flower, which is a blend of the red and white traits. This blending occurs because the alleles for each trait do not mask each other but instead combine to create a new phenotype. In contrast, co-dominance refers to a situation where both traits are fully expressed in the offspring, resulting in distinct characteristics from both parents rather than a blend. Multiple alleles involve more than two alleles contributing to a trait, leading to a variety of expressions but not necessarily blending. Dominant inheritance means that one allele completely masks the effect of another, which also does not result in blending. Thus, incomplete dominance is the correct choice as it exemplifies the blending of traits from both parents.

The inheritance pattern that results in a blending of parental traits in offspring is described as incomplete dominance. In this type of inheritance, neither allele is completely dominant over the other, leading to a hybrid phenotype that is an intermediate of the two parental traits. For example, if a red flower (RR) is crossed with a white flower (WW), the offspring (RW) may display a pink flower, which is a blend of the red and white traits.

This blending occurs because the alleles for each trait do not mask each other but instead combine to create a new phenotype. In contrast, co-dominance refers to a situation where both traits are fully expressed in the offspring, resulting in distinct characteristics from both parents rather than a blend. Multiple alleles involve more than two alleles contributing to a trait, leading to a variety of expressions but not necessarily blending. Dominant inheritance means that one allele completely masks the effect of another, which also does not result in blending. Thus, incomplete dominance is the correct choice as it exemplifies the blending of traits from both parents.