A gene for corn has two alleles, one for yellow kernels and one for white kernels. Cross pollination of yellow corn and white corn results in ears of corn that have an approximately even mix of yellow and white kernels. Which term best describes the relationship between the two alleles?

The question is incomplete. The complete question is:

Question: A gene for corn has two alleles, one for yellow kernels and one for white kernels. Cross pollination of yellow corn and white corn results in ears of corn that have an approximately even mix of yellow and white kernels. Which term best describes the relationship between the two alleles?

a) Incomplete dominance

b) Genetic recombination

c) Chimerism

d) Codominance

Answer:

d) codominance

Explanation:

Codominance is a pattern of inheritance when none of the alleles of a gene is able to mask the expression of the other allele of the same gene. When the two alleles are present together in a heterozygous genotype, both are expressed and the phenotype of the heterozygote is different from both the pure breeding parents. In the given example, cross-pollination of yellow corn and white corn results in the ears of corn that have an approximately even mix of yellow and white kernels. This means that the heterozygote expresses both the allele for the corn color. Therefore, it represents codominance.