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Incomplete Dominance vs. Co Dominance: Know the Difference

Shumaila Saeed
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
Incomplete dominance occurs when two alleles blend in the phenotype, while in co-dominance, both alleles are fully expressed and visible in the phenotype.
Incomplete Dominance vs. Co Dominance

Key Differences

Incomplete dominance is a genetic scenario where the offspring's phenotype is a mix of the parents' traits, like in pink flowers from red and white parents. Co-dominance, on the other hand, results in offspring that express both parental traits distinctly, such as blood type AB in humans.
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With incomplete dominance, no allele is completely dominant over the other, leading to a blended intermediate phenotype. In co-dominance, each allele maintains its individuality and is equally expressed in the phenotype.
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Examples of incomplete dominance include the color of certain flowers or the fur of animals, where traits blend. Co-dominance examples are more distinct, like certain genetic disorders where both alleles are fully expressed.
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In incomplete dominance, the heterozygous phenotype is different from either homozygous phenotype. In co-dominance, the heterozygous condition shows both traits independently and equally.
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The concept of incomplete dominance helps explain variations in traits that don't follow simple dominant-recessive patterns. Co-dominance, conversely, is important in understanding how different alleles can coexist and be expressed fully in the phenotype.
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Comparison Chart

Phenotypic Outcome

Blend of both alleles' traits
Simultaneous expression of both alleles' traits
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Expression in Heterozygotes

Intermediate phenotype
Both phenotypes expressed equally
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Allelic Interaction

Alleles blend together
Alleles maintain individual expression
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Example

Red and white flowers producing pink offspring
Blood type AB showing both A and B antigens
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Genetic Explanation

Result of neither allele being completely dominant
Result of both alleles being dominant
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Impact on Phenotype

Produces a third phenotype different from parents
Shows both parental phenotypes simultaneously
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Visibility of Traits

Mixed trait visible
Each trait distinctly visible
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Inheritance Pattern

Non-classical Mendelian inheritance
Classical Mendelian but with equal expression of alleles
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Incomplete Dominance and Co Dominance Definitions

Incomplete Dominance

A genetic pattern where the offspring's trait is a mix of parents' traits.
The skin color in humans can show incomplete dominance, blending parental pigmentation.
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Co Dominance

Co dominance occurs when two alleles are equally dominant.
In co dominance, a person with one allele for curly hair and one for straight might have a mix of both.
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Incomplete Dominance

A form of inheritance where the heterozygous phenotype is intermediate.
In snapdragons, incomplete dominance results in an intermediate color in the heterozygous flowers.
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Co Dominance

Co dominance leads to a phenotype showing both alleles distinctly.
Human ABO blood types demonstrate co dominance in the AB phenotype.
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Incomplete Dominance

Incomplete dominance leads to a third phenotype distinct from both alleles.
In certain types of chickens, incomplete dominance leads to a feather color different from either parent.
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Co Dominance

A genetic scenario where both alleles are fully expressed in a heterozygote.
Co dominance is seen in human blood types, where AB is a result of both A and B alleles.
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Incomplete Dominance

A genetic situation where the phenotype is a blend of both alleles.
In incomplete dominance, a red and white flower might produce pink offspring.
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Co Dominance

A form of inheritance where both parental traits are visible in offspring.
Certain cattle breeds show co dominance in coat color, with patches of both parental colors.
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Incomplete Dominance

Incomplete dominance occurs when no allele is fully dominant.
The wavy hair texture is a result of incomplete dominance between curly and straight hair alleles.
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Co Dominance

A genetic pattern where heterozygotes express both alleles independently.
In co dominance, flowers might have spots of both red and white, representing each allele.
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Co Dominance

Alternative form of codominance
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Repeatedly Asked Queries

Does incomplete dominance follow Mendelian inheritance patterns?

Incomplete dominance is a non-classical form of Mendelian inheritance with blended traits.
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Is incomplete dominance common in plants?

Yes, incomplete dominance is often observed in the color of flowers in many plant species.
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What types of traits exhibit co dominance?

Traits like blood type and certain animal coat patterns often exhibit co dominance.
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What defines incomplete dominance in genetics?

Incomplete dominance is defined by a blended phenotype resulting from two different alleles.
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How does incomplete dominance affect offspring phenotype?

In incomplete dominance, offspring have an intermediate phenotype, different from either parent.
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How does co dominance differ from simple dominance?

In co dominance, both alleles are equally dominant and expressed, unlike in simple dominance where one allele overshadows the other.
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Can incomplete dominance occur in human traits?

Yes, incomplete dominance can occur in human traits like skin color and hair texture.
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What is a key characteristic of co dominance in genetics?

Co dominance is characterized by the full and separate expression of both alleles in the phenotype.
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Can co dominance be observed in human blood types?

Yes, human blood types, especially type AB, are a classic example of co dominance.
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Are there any health implications of incomplete dominance?

In some cases, incomplete dominance can influence the severity of genetic disorders.
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Can environmental factors affect incomplete dominance?

While environmental factors can influence expression, they do not change the basic pattern of incomplete dominance.
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Is co dominance observable in flower coloration?

Yes, in some flowers, co dominance can result in petals with distinct colors from each allele.
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Does co dominance result in a blended phenotype?

No, co dominance results in a phenotype where both alleles are distinctly expressed, not blended.
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Can co dominance occur in other organisms besides humans?

Yes, co dominance is observed in many organisms, including plants and animals.
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How do researchers identify co dominance in genes?

Researchers identify co dominance by observing offspring phenotypes that clearly express traits of both alleles.
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Does incomplete dominance have a predictable pattern?

Yes, incomplete dominance typically follows a predictable pattern of intermediate phenotype in heterozygotes.
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How does incomplete dominance influence genetic diversity?

Incomplete dominance contributes to genetic diversity by creating phenotypes that are a mix of both alleles.
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How does co dominance impact genetic studies?

Co dominance provides a clear example of how multiple alleles can express themselves in a phenotype.
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Are there any specific tools used to study co dominance?

Geneticists use tools like Punnett squares and pedigree analysis to study co dominance patterns.
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How does understanding co dominance help in medical genetics?

Understanding co dominance aids in predicting genetic traits and understanding certain diseases in medical genetics.
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About Author
Shumaila Saeed
Written by
Shumaila Saeed
Shumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.

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