Which terms describe the dominance relationship in genetics?

The dominance relationship in genetics specifically refers to the interaction between alleles of a gene. In this context, dominant alleles are defined by their ability to mask or suppress the expression of recessive alleles. When an individual carries one dominant allele and one recessive allele for a trait, the trait associated with the dominant allele is phenotypically visible, whereas the trait associated with the recessive allele is not expressed in the presence of the dominant allele.

This characteristic of dominance is essential for understanding inheritance patterns, as it explains why certain traits may appear to skip generations or only show up when two parents both contribute a recessive allele. This foundational principle helps to illustrate how traits are passed from parents to offspring, as well as the basis for genetic variation in populations.

The other options do not accurately describe the dominance relationship in genetics. For instance, the idea that recessive alleles suppress dominant alleles contradicts the established understanding of allele interactions. Similarly, the notion that all alleles are equivalent in dominance overlooks the established hierarchy of allele expressions. Lastly, the assertion that recessive alleles are always expressed is not true, as recessive alleles only manifest phenotypically when they are paired with another recessive allele.