Each child inherits two versions of each trait, one from the father and one from the mother. These two versions, known as alleles, may be similar or different. The combination of alleles influences the expression of traits in the child, leading to variations in the appearance and characteristics of individuals.
With both parents contributing genetic material, why are there two versions for each trait in each child, and how does this influence the expression of traits?
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Each child inherits two versions (alleles) for each trait because each parent contributes one allele. The presence of two alleles at a gene locus results from the combination of maternal and paternal genetic material. These alleles may be the same (homozygous) or different (heterozygous). The dominant-recessive relationship between alleles influences trait expression. Dominant alleles mask the effect of recessive alleles. The presence of two versions for each trait in each child contributes to genetic diversity, and the interaction between alleles determines the phenotype, influencing the observable traits expressed in individuals.