Incomplete Dominance and Codominance

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Incomplete dominance results in a blending of traits due to varying enzyme functionality, leading to reduced pigment production. In contrast, co-dominance allows both phenotypes to be expressed simultaneously without blending, as seen in checkered chickens and roan cows. This phenomenon occurs because both alleles are active and contribute distinct traits, resulting in patches of color rather than a uniform mix. The discussion also references Barr body inactivation, where only one X chromosome is active in each cell, contributing to a mosaic pattern of gene expression. Understanding these genetic mechanisms is crucial, as they illustrate the complexity of trait inheritance.
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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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