Dominant Trait
A dominant trait is the trait that appears even when only one dominant allele is present.
Practice This ConceptMain explanation
Teacher explanation
A dominant trait shows its effect in a heterozygous condition. This means if a dominant allele is paired with a recessive allele, the dominant trait is the one that appears in the organism. In school genetics, dominant traits are often shown with capital letters such as T for tallness.
Example
In pea plants, tall stem height is dominant over short stem height. A plant with genotype Tt will usually be tall.
Simple analogy
Dominant means it appears with one copy.
Common confusion
Students often think dominant means more common or stronger in every situation. In genetics, dominant means it shows in heterozygous form, not that it is always best.
Exam tip
When a question gives one capital and one small letter, check which trait is dominant and then write the visible trait.
Study the dominant trait diagram carefully
Use the labelled diagram to keep dominant trait clear in short answers and revision.
What this diagram makes clear
This diagram keeps the labels and direction of dominant trait in the right order.
Where this helps in exams
Use this for labelled diagram work and short exam answers on dominant trait.
Revision cue
Revise dominant trait through the labels before writing the answer.
Answer writing and exam use
1-mark use
Write the exact meaning of dominant trait in one clean line.
2-mark use
Define dominant trait and add one example or condition.
3-mark use
Explain dominant trait, show the method or example, and mention the common mistake.
Practice this concept with focused MCQs
Open the concept quiz intro first, review the test details, and then start a focused MCQ set from this concept only. Instant score and answer review are live now.
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