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Name: Debra
Grade: N/A
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Question:
Why doesn't the trait for albinism in plants disappear considering that albino plants die before producing seeds?

Replies:
This is the same question asked about many harmful genetic traits such as genetic diseases. Every organism receives two copies of each gene: one from each parent. So there is always the possibility of having one bad copy that is hidden by the good copy. If both parents then have one bad copy each but are normal themselves, they have a 25 percent chance of having offspring with the trait. The only way of getting rid of the bad gene from the gene pool is to never let carriers mate. So there will always be carriers to pass on the bad gene.

Vanhoeck


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