DOMINANT GENE Meaning and
Definition
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A dominant gene is a term used in genetics to describe a gene that exerts a greater influence on the development of a trait in an organism when compared to its counterpart, the recessive gene. Each organism typically inherits two copies of a gene, one from each parent. In the case of a dominant gene, only one copy is required to express the trait it codes for, effectively overshadowing the presence of the recessive gene.
Dominant genes are denoted with uppercase letters, while the corresponding recessive genes are represented by lowercase letters. When an individual inherits both dominant genes for a trait, it is referred to as homozygous dominant, and when it only possesses one dominant gene and one recessive gene, it is called heterozygous.
The expression of dominant genes is observed both on the physical characteristics, known as phenotypes, as well as on the molecular level, defining the genotype. Traits such as eye color, hair texture, and certain diseases can be influenced by dominant genes. Additionally, certain dominant genes may have varying levels of dominance, with complete dominance being the most common, while incomplete dominance and co-dominance exhibit more nuanced patterns of gene expression.
Understanding the role of dominant genes is crucial in studying heredity patterns, as they determine the likelihood and predictability of passing on specific traits to offspring.
Common Misspellings for DOMINANT GENE
- sominant gene
- xominant gene
- cominant gene
- fominant gene
- rominant gene
- eominant gene
- diminant gene
- dkminant gene
- dlminant gene
- dpminant gene
- d0minant gene
- d9minant gene
- doninant gene
- dokinant gene
- dojinant gene
- domunant gene
- domjnant gene
- domknant gene
- domonant gene
Etymology of DOMINANT GENE
The word "dominant" has its roots in the Latin word "dominans", which means "ruling" or "having authority". "Gene" comes from the Greek word "genos", which means "birth" or "origin". The use of the term "dominant gene" in genetics is based on the concept that some genes have a greater influence on the physical traits or characteristics of an organism compared to other genes. The term "dominant gene" likely emerged in the early 20th century when research on genetics and heredity was intensifying.
Similar spelling word for DOMINANT GENE
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