Question

Differentiate between dominance and co-dominance.

Answer 1

	Dominance	Co-dominance
1.	Dominance is the phenomenon where out of a pair of allelomorphic characters, one appears in F1 generation as dominant.	Co-dominance is when both allelic genes of a genetic trait are equally expressive in F1 hybrids.
2.	In dominance, the dominant character suppresses the expression of the recessive character.	In co-dominance, the dominant character does not suppress the recessive character; both appear side by side.
3.	Only one character (the dominant) is visible in the heterozygous condition in dominance.	Both characters are simultaneously and distinctly visible in the heterozygous condition in co-dominance.
4.	Dominance results in the F1 generation showing only the dominant phenotype.	Co-dominance results in the F1 generation showing both phenotypes together without blending.
5.	The recessive allele remains hidden in the presence of the dominant allele in dominance.	Both alleles express their traits fully and independently in co-dominance.
6.	An example of dominance is when one trait masks the other in offspring (e.g., Mendel’s pea plant traits).	An example of co-dominance includes ABO blood groups in humans and roan coat color in cattle.