Recessive gene

📖 Full definition

A recessive gene is masked by a dominant gene at the same chromosomal position. For a recessive trait to express, one must inherit two copies (one from each parent). This explains why a trait may "skip a generation": two heterozygous carrier parents (Bb × Bb) have a 25% chance of having a homozygous recessive child (bb).

💡 Concrete example

If both grandparents had blue eyes but your parents have brown ones (heterozygous Bb), you can be born with blue eyes if you inherit the b from each.

🔄 Synonyms

recessive allele

🔗 See also

• Genotype →