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Learning objective

Explain the terms allele, dominant and recessive.

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Topic

Reproduction

Subtopic

Genetic inheritance

Aqa Gcse BiologyInheritance, variation and evolution

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Quick explanation

Explain the terms allele, dominant and recessive

  • This point belongs to Reproduction, especially Genetic inheritance.
  • You need to be able to explain the terms allele, dominant and recessive.
  • The key ideas to know are recessive, dominant, and allele.
  • Use the linked flashcards and practice questions to check recall, then practise applying the idea in an exam-style answer.

Key concepts

recessivedominantallele

Why it matters

This objective helps connect Genetic inheritance to exam-style questions, flashcards, and revision notes for Reproduction.

Quick student answer

How do you explain terms allele, dominant and recessive?

Direct answer

In Biology, this page helps you answer questions about terms allele, dominant and recessive within Reproduction. Focus on the key process, correct scientific terms, and how the idea links to exam-style questions. Key terms to check are allele and dominant.

Key terms

  • allele: In Genetic inheritance, allele means the specific Unit 4.6 idea used to answer this objective: students must explain the terms allele, dominant and recessive. Keep the term curriculum-specific by applying this boundary: DNA is the molecule; a gene is a functional section of that molecule. Do not use allele as a vague inheritance word; link it to Reproduction and explain the exact role it plays in AQA GCSE Biology.
  • dominant: In Genetic inheritance, the term dominant has a specific definition boundary role in Unit 4.6. Use dominant when students must explain the terms allele, dominant and recessive. Keep the term curriculum-specific by applying this boundary: DNA is the molecule; a gene is a functional section of that molecule. Do not use dominant as a vague inheritance word or as a synonym for a neighbouring term; link it to Reproduction, Genetic inheritance, and the exact role it plays in AQA GCSE Biology. Revision cue 1: When asking about DNA, test molecular structure, base sequence, nucleotides, or genetic information storage.

Common trap

Misunderstanding Alleles: Clarify that an allele is a variant form of a gene, dominant alleles are expressed when present, and recessive alleles are only expressed when two copies are present without a dominant allele.

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