Definition of Recessive
Recessive: A condition that appears only in individuals who have received two copies of a mutant gene, one copy from each parent. The individuals with a double dose of the mutated gene are called homozygotes. Their parents, each with a single dose of the mutated gene, appear normal and are called heterozygotes, or gene carriers.
There are two types of recessive diseases -- autosomal recessive and X-linked recessive -- that describe different patterns of inheritance.
The opposite of recessive is dominant. See also Autosomal recessive; Dominant; and X-linked recessive.
Source: MedTerms™ Medical Dictionaryhttp://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=5239
Last Editorial Review: 4/27/2011 5:27:15 PM
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