Modeling Sexual Reproduction Quick Check
A student claims that dominant traits are always the most common traits Is this true? Why or why not? (1 point)
No, dominant traits in general tend to be less common in the population and continue to persist only because they are dominant over more common recessive alleles
Yes, dominant traits became more common over time as they are passed down from generation to generation, recessive alleles continue to become less common over time.
Yes, dominant traits are called dominant because they are the most common
No, dominant traits only show up if they are inherited; how common they are is not influenced by this
The correct answer is: No, dominant traits are not always the most common traits. Dominant traits in general tend to be less common in the population and continue to persist only because they are dominant over more common recessive alleles.
To find the answer to whether dominant traits are always the most common traits, we need to understand some basic principles of genetics and inheritance.
In sexual reproduction, offspring inherit traits from their parents. Traits can be either dominant or recessive. Dominant traits are those that are always expressed in the presence of the corresponding dominant allele, while recessive traits are only expressed if an individual has two copies of the recessive allele.
Now, let's analyze the options:
1. No, dominant traits in general tend to be less common in the population and continue to persist only because they are dominant over more common recessive alleles.
This option is correct. Dominant traits are not necessarily the most common traits. In fact, they can be less common in the population. However, they persist because they are dominant over recessive alleles.
2. Yes, dominant traits became more common over time as they are passed down from generation to generation, recessive alleles continue to become less common over time.
This option is not accurate. Dominant traits do not inherently become more common over time simply because they are passed down through generations. The frequency of dominant or recessive traits in a population can vary and is influenced by factors such as natural selection and genetic drift.
3. Yes, dominant traits are called dominant because they are the most common.
This option is not correct. The term "dominant" refers to how the trait is expressed, not to its frequency in the population. Dominant traits are simply those that are expressed over recessive traits when present.
4. No, dominant traits only show up if they are inherited; how common they are is not influenced by this.
This option is partially correct. Dominant traits do indeed require inheritance to be expressed. However, the frequency of dominant traits in a population can be influenced by factors such as selection pressures and genetic variability.
Therefore, the correct answer is: No, dominant traits are not always the most common traits. They can be less common in the population but persist because they are dominant over recessive alleles.