Question

Which of the following is an incorrect statement with respect to the observations made by Mendel during his hybridisation experiments?

• A. Reappearance of the dwarf trait in the $F_2$ generation happened because in the $F_1$ generation the trait was neither contaminated nor completely lost
• B. Recessive trait can only express itself in an heterozygous condition
• C. Trait that expresses itself in the $F_1$ generation is the dominant trait
• D. Trait that cannot not express itself in the presence of the dominant trait is the recessive trait

Answer 1

The correct option is B Recessive trait can only express itself in an heterozygous condition

Mendel's experiments helped him dig deep into the mysteries of genetics and unravel some fascinating truths.

The trait that expresses itself in the $F_1$generation is the dominant trait. Alternatively, the trait that cannot express itself in the presence of the dominant trait, is the recessive trait. He was also amazed at the reappearance of the recessive trait in the $F_2$generation which happened because in the $F_1$generation, the character did not get contaminated(mixed, blended), neither did it die or was completely lost.
He did not observe any expression of a recessive trait in a heterozygous condition because the dominant trait was able to suppress the expression of the recessive trait.

In the $F_2$ generation, the recessive trait reappeared only when present in homozygous condition.