Menu

Recessive for Dummies

noun

pronunciation: rɪ'sɛsɪv

What does Recessive really mean?

61 1
61

Sure, I'd be happy to explain what "Recessive" means! So, imagine you have a pair of jeans, and these jeans come in different colors. Let's say you have one dark blue jean and one light blue jean. Now, each jean represents a gene, which is a tiny, tiny part of our bodies that carries information about things like our hair color, our eye color, and even our height!

Now, these jeans or genes come in pairs because we inherit one copy from our mom and one copy from our dad. So, in this case, you have one dark blue jean and one light blue jean, or in genetic terms, one dominant gene and one recessive gene. The dominant gene is like the boss; it's stronger and likes to take charge. It tells your body to make your hair dark or your eyes brown, for example.

On the other hand, the recessive gene is a bit shyer and doesn't speak up as much. It can only have an effect if it's paired with another recessive gene. So, if both your mom and dad gave you a pair of light blue jeans or recessive genes, then their effect will show up, and you might have light blue eyes.

But, if you have one dominant gene and one recessive gene, the dominant gene will win the battle and its trait will be expressed. So, if you have a pair of jeans where one is dark blue and the other is light blue, you'll end up with the trait from the dominant gene, which in this case would be dark eyes.

Now, the word "Recessive" itself means something that is less noticeable or has a weaker influence compared to something else. In genetics, it refers to a gene that can only show its effect when paired with another recessive gene. So, remember those shy light blue jeans we mentioned? The recessive gene is like that, a bit quieter and more hidden, but it still matters because it can be passed down to future generations.

So, to sum it up, "Recessive" means a gene that only shows its traits when paired with another recessive gene and has a weaker influence compared to a dominant gene.


Revised and Fact checked by Mary Johnson on 2023-10-29 16:03:48

Recessive In a sentece

Learn how to use Recessive inside a sentece

  • In a family where both parents have brown eyes, but their child has blue eyes, the blue eye color is considered recessive.
  • If a person inherits two copies of the gene for red hair from their parents, they will have red hair because the gene for red hair is recessive.
  • In a flower garden, if red flowers (dominant trait) and white flowers (recessive trait) cross-pollinate, the resulting offspring may have pink flowers.
  • When a person inherits a genetic disorder, such as cystic fibrosis or sickle cell anemia, it is usually because they have received two recessive genes for the disorder, one from each parent.
  • If someone has attached earlobes (dominant trait), but both of their parents have free earlobes (recessive trait), it is possible for the person to pass on the recessive trait to their own children.

Recessive Synonyms

Words that can be interchanged for the original word in the same context.

Recessive Antonyms

Words that have the opposite context of the original word.

Recessive Hypernyms

Words that are more generic than the original word.

Recessive Category

The domain category to which the original word belongs.

Recessive Pertains To

Words to which the original word is relevant