What is the characteristic of blood type that exemplifies codominance?

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!

Blood type is an excellent example of codominance, which occurs when two different alleles are expressed simultaneously, leading to a phenotype that shows characteristics of both alleles. In the case of blood groups, individuals can inherit an A allele from one parent and a B allele from the other, resulting in type AB blood. In type AB blood, both A and B antigens are present on the surface of red blood cells, clearly demonstrating codominance since neither antigen overshadows the other; instead, both are fully expressed.

The other options don’t represent codominance in the same way. Type O blood, which has no antigens, reflects a different genetic inheritance pattern where both A and B alleles are absent. Dominance occurs when one allele masks the expression of another in a heterozygous condition, which does not apply here as both alleles contribute to the phenotype in codominance. Lastly, describing blood type determination by a single allele pertains to traits controlled by simple dominance rather than the simultaneous expression seen in codominance.

Subscribe

Get the latest from Examzify

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy