* Genes: Units of heredity that determine specific traits, such as eye color or height.
* Alleles: Different versions of the same gene. For example, you might have an allele for blue eyes and another allele for brown eyes.
* Dominant Allele: An allele that expresses its trait even when paired with a different (recessive) allele.
* Recessive Allele: An allele that only expresses its trait when paired with another copy of the same recessive allele.
Example:
* Brown eyes (B) are dominant over blue eyes (b).
* Someone with the genotype BB or Bb will have brown eyes because the B allele is dominant.
* Someone with the genotype bb will have blue eyes because there are two copies of the recessive allele.
In short, a dominant allele overrides the effect of a recessive allele when both are present.
Important Notes:
* Not all traits are determined by simple dominant-recessive relationships. Some traits are influenced by multiple genes (polygenic inheritance), while others are influenced by the environment.
* The concept of dominance is important for understanding inheritance patterns, genetic diseases, and evolution.
Let me know if you'd like more information about specific types of inheritance or other aspects of genetics!
