Here's how it works:
* Genes come in pairs: Each individual inherits two copies of each gene, one from each parent.
* Dominant and recessive alleles: Some genes have different versions called alleles. Dominant alleles are expressed even if only one copy is present. Recessive alleles are only expressed if two copies are present.
* Hidden traits: If a parent carries one dominant allele and one recessive allele, they will express the dominant trait. However, they still carry the recessive allele, which can be passed down to their offspring.
* Offspring inheriting recessive traits: If both parents carry the same recessive allele, there's a 25% chance their offspring will inherit two copies of the recessive allele and therefore express the recessive trait, even though neither parent expressed it.
Example:
* Brown eyes are dominant (B) and blue eyes are recessive (b).
* Both parents have brown eyes but carry the recessive blue-eye allele (Bb).
* There's a 25% chance their offspring will inherit two blue-eye alleles (bb) and have blue eyes.
This is why sometimes children have traits that neither parent displays. It's a result of the recessive alleles being passed down through generations and only becoming expressed when two copies are present.
