C190.v3 Introduction to Biology module 15 study questions and
answers 2025 Western Governors University
Module 15 Study Questions
Use this table of Pea Plant Traits below to answer questions #1 – 8
“Dominant and Recessive Genes in Pea Plants” © 2019 University of Maryland University
College (Modified) / Modified from the Original by WGU
1. Explain the difference between a gene and an allele. Provide an example of a gene and an
allele for that gene.
Gene: a certain trait at the molecular level with a genotype that codes for expression
of a protein (genes are found in DNA)
Allele: variation of a gene that expresses a trait.
2. Explain the difference between genotype and phenotype. RR is an example of a
Genotype, and constricted pod shape is an example of a phenotype .
Genotype: the genetic code for a trait (ex: RR or Rr)
Phenotype: the physical expression of a trait (ex: hair color, eye color etc)
3. Individuals with the genotype YY or Yy have the yellow seed phenotype, while
individuals with the genotype yy have the green seed phenotype. Explain how
, this occurs using the terms dominant allele and recessive allele.
What's described here is common mendelian genetics.
Dominant: the trait that tends to be more commonly expressed and has two
genotypes: RR or Rr
Recessive: the trait that is less commonly expressed and has only one possible
genotype: rr
YY or Yy = dominant genotypes which leads to expression of only the yellow seed
phenotype (the only who is heterozygous will be a carrier of the recessive allele)
yy = recessive phenotypes can only occur with this genotype; they can only give
the lowercase alleles here.
Module 15 Heredity 1
answers 2025 Western Governors University
Module 15 Study Questions
Use this table of Pea Plant Traits below to answer questions #1 – 8
“Dominant and Recessive Genes in Pea Plants” © 2019 University of Maryland University
College (Modified) / Modified from the Original by WGU
1. Explain the difference between a gene and an allele. Provide an example of a gene and an
allele for that gene.
Gene: a certain trait at the molecular level with a genotype that codes for expression
of a protein (genes are found in DNA)
Allele: variation of a gene that expresses a trait.
2. Explain the difference between genotype and phenotype. RR is an example of a
Genotype, and constricted pod shape is an example of a phenotype .
Genotype: the genetic code for a trait (ex: RR or Rr)
Phenotype: the physical expression of a trait (ex: hair color, eye color etc)
3. Individuals with the genotype YY or Yy have the yellow seed phenotype, while
individuals with the genotype yy have the green seed phenotype. Explain how
, this occurs using the terms dominant allele and recessive allele.
What's described here is common mendelian genetics.
Dominant: the trait that tends to be more commonly expressed and has two
genotypes: RR or Rr
Recessive: the trait that is less commonly expressed and has only one possible
genotype: rr
YY or Yy = dominant genotypes which leads to expression of only the yellow seed
phenotype (the only who is heterozygous will be a carrier of the recessive allele)
yy = recessive phenotypes can only occur with this genotype; they can only give
the lowercase alleles here.
Module 15 Heredity 1
