Question

Is it possible that a trait gets inherited, but not expressed? Give an example to justify your answer.

Answer 1

Yes, it is possible for a trait to be inherited but not expressed. This happens because of the interaction between genotype (genetic makeup) and phenotype (observable characteristics). A recessive allele can be inherited but not expressed if a dominant allele is also present. The recessive trait will only be expressed if two copies of the recessive allele are present (homozygous recessive).

Example: Consider the inheritance of eye color. Brown eye color (\(B\)) is dominant over blue eye color (\(b\)). An individual with the genotype \(Bb\) will inherit both brown and blue alleles, but their phenotype will be brown eyes because the dominant brown allele (\(B\)) is expressed. The blue eye trait is inherited but not expressed.