Question

In case of two gene interaction, the gene which is masking the expression of another is called_____________ and the gene whose expression is masked is called_______________

(a) Dominant, recessive

(b) Recessive, dominant

(c) Epistatic, hypostatic

(d) Hypostatic, Epistatic

The question was asked in a national level competition.

This interesting question is from Epistasis in section Extension and Deviation from Mendelian Genetic Principles of Cytogenetics

Answer 1

Right answer is (c) Epistatic, hypostatic

Easy explanation: In case of single gene two alleles which suppress one another we use dominant/ recessive relations. But in case of interaction between two genes we use epistatic for the one that suppresses the expression of another and hypostatic for the one whose expression is suppressed.