Incomplete dominance is illustrated by pink flowers in crosses between red and white. Which statement correctly describes this concept?

Incomplete dominance is illustrated by pink flowers in crosses between red and white. Which statement correctly describes this concept?

• A. The phenotype is an intermediate between the two homozygotes
• B. The phenotype is identical to one of the homozygotes
• C. The phenotype is completely dominant by one allele
• D. The trait is determined solely by the environment

Answer: (A)

Incomplete dominance occurs when the heterozygous phenotype is intermediate between the two homozygous phenotypes. In red x white crosses, having one red and one white allele produces pink flowers, a blend rather than red or white. This shows that neither allele is completely dominant, so their effects sum to create an intermediate trait. The idea that the phenotype would match one parent would reflect complete dominance, not incomplete dominance, and attributing the trait entirely to the environment ignores the genetic blending pattern at work.

Incomplete dominance occurs when the heterozygous phenotype is intermediate between the two homozygous phenotypes. In red x white crosses, having one red and one white allele produces pink flowers, a blend rather than red or white. This shows that neither allele is completely dominant, so their effects sum to create an intermediate trait. The idea that the phenotype would match one parent would reflect complete dominance, not incomplete dominance, and attributing the trait entirely to the environment ignores the genetic blending pattern at work.