10 Attractive Difference between Dominant and Recessive Alleles In Point Form

What is the difference between dominant and recessive alleles?

Genetics is the study of hereditary and a lot of students are finding it tough to comprehend some of the terms used in the topic.

The lesson provides some insightful information about the difference between dominant and recessive alleles. Take the time to read through the article. 

Difference between Dominant and Recessive Alleles

What Are Dominant Alleles?

Dominant alleles are those genes that ultimately determine the expression traits. Research shows that they are genes that are mostly found in the majority of the population.

Also, dominant genes tend to carry good character but this is not always true to some extent.

Therefore, when a dominant gene is paired with a recessive gene then the dominant alleles will determine the character.

What Are Recessive Alleles?

Recessive alleles are those genes that are normally masked by the dominant genes. They only express their traits in the absence of dominant alleles.

According to research, there are some traits in an individual that are controlled by two dominant and one allele. This is the reason why a small population only show recessive genes in the world.

Comparison Chart: Dominant Alleles vs Recessive Alleles 

Basic Terms Dominant Alleles Recessive Alleles
Character Determines the dominant character Determines the recessive character.
F1 Generation Tend to express the main traits It only shows when the dominant character is absent.
Population Occur frequently in a large population Tend to occur rarely in a population.
Superiority Determine the superior character Determine the inferior character
Documentation Written in uppercase like T Written in lowercase like t
Example Brown eyes trait, A and B blood type Blue eyes trait, O blood type
Lifespan Tend to pass down traits to the future generation The traits tend to disappear after some time.

Core Difference Between Dominant and Recessive Alleles

  1. Dominant alleles tend to determine the main character in an individual while the recessive alleles determine the recessive traits.
  2. Most of the F1 generation normally showcase dominant alleles rather than recessive alleles.
  3. Most of the large population in the world has dominant alleles while only a small population showcase recessive alleles.
  4. Dominant allele’s traits can be passed from one generation to another while recessive traits tend to disappear with time.
  5. People with brown eyes, blood type A and B have dominant traits while those with blue eyes and blood type O have recessive alleles.
  6. Dominant alleles are documented with uppercase while recessive alleles are documented with lowercase.
  7. Dominant Alleles are prone to diseases whereas recessive alleles are less prone to diseases
  8. Dominant alleles are likely to be inherited whereas recessive alleles are not likely to be inherited
  9. Dominant alleles are written in upper case where recessive alleles are written in lower case
  10. Examples of dominant alleles are A and B blood group whereas the recessive allele O blood type 

Similarities between Dominant Alleles and Recessive Alleles

  • Both result in inherited traits
  • Both can cause genetic diseases 

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Comparison Video

Conclusion

There are a lot of dominant and recessive traits chart online. Take the time to research over them and this will help you comprehend most of the terms used in genetics.

All in all, the above difference between dominant and recessive traits will help you have great insight into the two terms.

More Sources and References

Dominance (Genetics). Wikipedia 

Introduction to Heredity Review. Khan Academy 

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