A typical recessive allele codes for a
A) lethal protein.
B) nonfunctional protein.
C) functional protein.
D) mutant protein.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A recessive allele typically codes for a nonfunctional protein, meaning that the protein it produces does not function normally or cannot be produced at all. This is why an individual must inherit two copies of the recessive allele to express the trait associated with it. A lethal protein would be one that causes the death of the organism, so this would not be a typical scenario for a recessive allele. A functional protein would not be a recessive allele, as it would produce a trait that could be expressed with just one copy of the allele. A mutant protein could be either functional or nonfunctional and does not necessarily relate to whether an allele is dominant or recessive.

A Typical Recessive Allele Codes for a