Codominance and

Multiple Alleles
Codominant alleles
Alleles are codominant if they are both expressed in the
phenotype of a heterozygote. They can be represented by two
capital letters superscript to the letter representing the gene.

For example, flower colour in

snapdragons Antirrhinum majus.
CR = red flowers CW = white flowers

Genotype Phenotype
CRCR homozygous red flowers
CRCW heterozygous pink flowers
CWCW homozygous white flowers

Now try the exam questions.

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ABO blood group
Some genes have multiple alleles (i.e. more than two), but
only two can be present in an individual. For example, the
ABO blood group gene (immunoglobulin) in humans.

 IA produces antigen A on the Genotype Phenotype

surface of red blood cells IAIA and IAIO blood group A
 IB produces antigen B on the IBIB and IBIO blood group B
surface of red blood cells I OI O blood group O
 IO produces no antigen. IAIB blood group AB

A and B are codominant and O is recessive to both.

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Use this information to explain why it is so
important that blood type is tested before
transfusions take place.
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When a person receives a blood transfusion, it is important that the
blood received does not contain antibodies which attach to the blood
cells and cause them to clump together (agglutination).
For example, if a person with type A blood was given a transfusion of
type B red blood cells, anti-B antibodies in their blood plasma would
stick to the B antigen on the surface of the red blood cell and cause
agglutination.
Complete the table to show which blood types can donate to and
receive blood from the other blood groups (N.B. when blood is
donated, only red blood cells are used, not the plasma that
potentially contains antibodies).
Blood A B O
Group
Can receive
from:
Can donate
to:
When a person receives a blood transfusion, it is important that the
blood received does not contain antibodies which attach to the blood
cells and cause them to clump together (agglutination).
For example, if a person with type A blood was given a transfusion of
type B red blood cells, anti-B antibodies in their blood plasma would
stick to the B antigen on the surface of the red blood cell and cause
agglutination.
Complete the table to show which blood types can donate to and
receive blood from the other blood groups (N.B. when blood is
donated, only red blood cells are used, not the plasma that
potentially contains antibodies).
Blood A B O AB
Group
Can receive A, O B, O O A, B, AB,
from: O
Can donate A, AB B, AB A, B, AB, AB
to: O
If 2 homozygous dominant individuals for different alleles (IAIA and
IBIB) produced offspring, then all would be heterozygotes with AB
blood group.
If this F1 generation interbreeds:

Parental genotypes: X

F2 genotypes:

F2 phenotypes:

Ratio:

This ratio is typical for examples of co-dominance.

Now try the questions on horses on page 112.

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Sickle Cell Anaemia
 This is an inherited
disease.
 It affects the red
blood cells that
carry oxygen to our
cells.
 Red blood cells are
normally biconcave
discs.
 In sickle cell
anaemia, the
haemoglobin
molecules are
distorted, causing
them to stick to each
other and form long
fibres inside the red
blood cells.
 This pulls the red blood
cells out of shape into a
“sickle”.
 Inefficient at carrying
oxygen.
 Block small capillaries.
 Prevents healthy red
blood cells passing and
results in severe anaemia
(lack of oxygen supply to
body cells) or death.
 Questions to consider whilst you
watch the video…
1. What is unusual about the incidence of sickle
cell anaemia?
2. What is the benefit of being a carrier for the
sickle cell gene?
3. What type of inheritance do you believe is
responsible for sickle cell anaemia?

Video
S – “Normal” gene (dominant)
 Sickle cell disease is
s – Sickle-cell gene (recessive) passed on by a
recessive allele.
Parents (both carriers)  A child therefore
Ss Ss
needs to inherit the
faulty allele from
both parents.
Possible genes in the babies:
 Both parents must be
carriers.
SS Ss sS ss

Clear Carrier Carrier Sickle

Cell

Therefore a 1 in 4 (25%) chance

of a sickle-cell sufferer.
2 in 4 (50%) chance of a carrier.
 Because the gene
needs to be
inherited from both
parents, there is a 1
in 4 (25%) chance of
a child of two
carriers having the
disease.
 Carriers of sickle cell
disease are particularly
common in Africa.
 The sickle cell gene that
they carry gives some
protection against malaria,
which is common in Africa.
 This is because their
“sickled” red blood cells
carry fewer of the
Plasmodium organisms
that cause malaria.
a) Despite the fact that few patients live beyond
40, the sickle cell allele is still present in the
population. Explain why.

b) Answer the questions on pages 126 and 127 of

the textbook.