Incomplete Dominance and Codominance

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SUMMARY

Incomplete dominance and co-dominance are two distinct genetic phenomena observed at the cellular level. Incomplete dominance results in a blending of traits, such as a functional enzyme producing pigments combined with a non-functioning enzyme, leading to reduced pigmentation. Co-dominance, exemplified by checkered chickens and roan cows, occurs when both phenotypes are expressed simultaneously without blending, as seen in blood types where alleles are equally represented on the surface of red blood cells. The discussion also references Barr body inactivation, which contributes to the expression of paternal and maternal X-chromosome genes in different cells, creating a patchy appearance.

PREREQUISITES
  • Basic understanding of genetics terminology, including alleles and phenotypes
  • Familiarity with enzyme functionality and its role in pigmentation
  • Knowledge of co-dominance and incomplete dominance concepts
  • Understanding of X-chromosome inactivation and Barr bodies
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the mechanisms of incomplete dominance in various plant and animal species
  • Explore the genetic basis of co-dominance with a focus on blood type inheritance
  • Study the role of Barr bodies in X-chromosome inactivation and its implications for genetic expression
  • Investigate examples of chimerism in genetics and its relationship to co-dominance
USEFUL FOR

Genetics students, biology educators, and anyone interested in understanding the complexities of inheritance patterns and gene expression in living organisms.

Yuqing
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I need some help on what exactly is happening here at the cellular level.

I understand that incomplete dominance is a blending, for example caused by a functional enzyme producing pigments and a non-functioning enzyme. The result would be less pigments, therefore an apparent mixing.

But what is happening with co-dominance? You have checkered chickens and roan cows. How exactly is this caused at a cellular level? If both phenotypes are active simultaneously, shouldn't there be a uniform blending instead of having patches of colour or similar phenomena?
 
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I'm not quite sure of the physiology of coat colors, but consider blood type. The alleles are equally expressed on the surface of RBCs, they cannot physically blend.
Your patching question makes me think of Barr body inactivation, so that only X chromosome is activated in each cell and an almost chimerism can be seen, in that some only paternal X-chrom genes are expressed in a given cell, and maternal genes in another.
Hope this helped a little bit, genetics can be confusing since there are so many mechanisms that accomplish the same effect, especially in intro courses where molecular things aren't explained.
 

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