A student claims that dominant traits are always the most common traits. Is this true? Why or why not?(1 point)

Question

Responses

Yes, dominant traits are called dominant because they are the most common.
Yes, dominant traits are called dominant because they are the most common.

No, dominant traits only show up if they are inherited; how common they are is not influenced by this.
No, dominant traits only show up if they are inherited; how common they are is not influenced by this.

Yes, dominant traits became more common over time as they are passed down from generation to generation; recessive alleles continue to become less common over time.
Yes, dominant traits became more common over time as they are passed down from generation to generation; recessive alleles continue to become less common over time.

No, dominant traits in general tend to be less common in the population and continue to persist only because they are dominant over more common recessive alleles.
No, dominant traits in general tend to be less common in the population and continue to persist only because they are dominant over more common recessive alleles.

Answer 1

The correct response is:

No, dominant traits only show up if they are inherited; how common they are is not influenced by this.

Dominance in genetics refers to the relationship between alleles, not their frequency in a population. A dominant trait may not be the most common if the recessive trait is more prevalent in the gene pool. The frequency of traits in a population is influenced by various factors, including the mechanisms of inheritance, environmental pressures, and genetic drift, not just whether a trait is dominant or recessive. Therefore, it is incorrect to say that dominant traits are always the most common traits.