Question:
What makes genes dominant or recessive?
Thanks
Replies:
We could address your question in two ways. First, we could
define what dominant and recessive mean, in genetic terms - but
I think maybe you already know that. Second, we can ask why a
given allele (version of a gene) is dominant, whereas another allele
is recessive. The answer has to do with the biochemical behavior
of the proteins that are the products of those particular genes -
that is, the "dominant gene" protein has a stronger effect than
does the "recessive gene" protein.
NEWTON is an electronic community for Science, Math, and Computer Science K-12 Educators, sponsored and operated by Argonne National Laboratory's Educational Programs, Andrew Skipor, Ph.D., Head of Educational Programs.