Which statement below correctly describes a component of sexual reproduction?
Each parent has two alleles per trait and passes one allele to their offspring.
Only dominant alleles are passed to offspring.
Each parent has two alleles and they pass both down to their offspring.
One parent passes down the majority of genes an offspring will receive.
Each parent has two alleles per trait and passes one allele to their offspring.
The statement that correctly describes a component of sexual reproduction is:
Each parent has two alleles per trait and passes one allele to their offspring.
To determine which statement correctly describes a component of sexual reproduction, we need to understand the principles of inheritance. In sexual reproduction, offspring inherit traits from both of their parents. These traits are determined by alleles, which are different forms of a gene.
Statement 1: "Each parent has two alleles per trait and passes one allele to their offspring."
This statement is correct. Each parent carries two alleles for each trait, and they pass one allele to their offspring. This process leads to genetic variation in the offspring.
Statement 2: "Only dominant alleles are passed to offspring."
This statement is incorrect. In sexual reproduction, both dominant and recessive alleles can be passed to offspring. The inheritance of dominant or recessive alleles depends on the specific traits and the alleles carried by the parents.
Statement 3: "Each parent has two alleles and they pass both down to their offspring."
This statement is partially correct. Each parent indeed has two alleles for each trait, but they pass only one allele to their offspring. This passing of one allele from each parent is what contributes to the genetic diversity in sexual reproduction.
Statement 4: "One parent passes down the majority of genes an offspring will receive."
This statement is incorrect. In sexual reproduction, both parents contribute equally to the genetic makeup of their offspring. Each parent passes down half of their genetic material, including half of their alleles, to their offspring.
Based on this analysis of the statements, the correct statement is:
"Each parent has two alleles per trait and passes one allele to their offspring."