Question

Thomas’s biological mother and father are both gifted athletes. He was adopted by a couple who had no interest in him being involved in sports. Although Thomas likely inherited athletic ability, it was never expressed in his __________. alleles phenotype genotype genes

Answer 1

Answer: Genes

Explanation: Genes that are responsible for muscle strength contributes to athletic performance but if you're being trained for sports and your gene responds to the training, then you may become a good athlete. It is also influenced by environmental factors.

Mother and father traits contribute athletic ability to their child.

Answer 2

Answer: phenotype

Explanation: phenotype is the expression of a particular gene.

Phenotypic expression can be masked by the effect of some environmental factor while some under favourable condition manifest themselves. For Thomas not to have expressed the genes despite the fact that he might have inherited it means his environment ( the adopted parent who have no interest in athlete) is playing a key role in supressing the expression of the traits. Until he finds an enabling environment the traits cannot find expression.