Question

Explain the law of incomplete dominance with an example.

Hint:

Incomplete dominance leads to a blending of traits, unlike complete dominance where one trait fully masks the other.

Answer 1

Step 1: Definition of Incomplete Dominance.
Incomplete dominance occurs when neither allele in a pair is completely dominant over the other. As a result, the heterozygote exhibits a phenotype that is intermediate between the two homozygous conditions.
Step 2: Example of Incomplete Dominance.
An example of incomplete dominance is the flower color in snapdragons (Antirrhinum majus). In this case, when a red-flowered plant (RR) is crossed with a white-flowered plant (WW), the F1 offspring have pink flowers (RW), which is an intermediate phenotype.
Step 3: Conclusion.
Thus, incomplete dominance results in blending of traits, such as the pink color in snapdragons from red and white parents.
Final Answer: \[ \boxed{\text{Incomplete dominance is a form of inheritance where the heterozygote shows an intermediate phenotype.}} \]