Kaplan Nursing Entrance Practice Exam

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What describes incomplete dominance?

Both alleles are fully expressed equally
One allele completely hides the other
The effect of both alleles is blended
Only dominant alleles are observed in traits

The correct answer is: The effect of both alleles is blended

Incomplete dominance is a genetic scenario where the phenotypes of two alleles blend together, resulting in a third, intermediate phenotype. This occurs when neither allele is completely dominant over the other, so the resulting traits reflect a mixture of both genetic contributions. For instance, when a red flower (RR) and a white flower (WW) cross, the offspring might produce pink flowers (RW) as a result of this blending effect. This distinction is significant because it sets incomplete dominance apart from other types of genetic inheritance. In complete dominance, one allele overshadows the other, and in codominance, both alleles are expressed but remain distinct, rather than blending. Thus, in incomplete dominance, the traits of both parents are not just visible but merged, yielding a unique phenotype that takes characteristics from both contributing alleles.