What does incomplete dominance indicate about the relationship between alleles?

Prepare for the TExES Life Science 7-12 Certification. Study with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each question has hints and explanations. Get ready for your exam!

Incomplete dominance indicates that one allele is not completely dominant over the other, resulting in a phenotype that is a blend of the two alleles. In this genetic interaction, neither allele is able to fully express itself when paired with the other. Instead, the observable trait exhibits characteristics of both alleles, leading to a third, distinct phenotype. For example, if one allele codes for a red flower and another for a white flower, the resulting offspring may produce pink flowers, highlighting this blending effect. This phenomenon differentiates incomplete dominance from complete dominance, where one allele would fully mask the expression of the other. Understanding this concept is essential in genetics as it illustrates the complexity of allele interactions beyond mere dominance and recessiveness.

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