Mendel's theory of inheritance __________.

• A. cannot explain epistasis
• B. applies only to alleles that are strictly dominant or recessive
• C. can explain incomplete dominance but fails to explain multiple alleles
• D. explains how genotype is expressed as phenotype
• E. can explain inheritance patterns for virtually every sexually reproducing organism but does not explain multifactorial characters

Answer: (E)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand Mendel's theory of inheritance, which is based on the principles of segregation and independent assortment. These principles describe how alleles are separated and recombined during gamete formation and fertilization.
2. Recognize that Mendel's theory primarily addresses inheritance patterns involving dominant and recessive alleles, where one allele can mask the expression of another.
3. Identify the limitations of Mendel's theory, such as its inability to fully explain complex inheritance patterns like epistasis, where one gene can affect the expression of another gene.
4. Consider how Mendel's theory can explain incomplete dominance, where neither allele is completely dominant, resulting in a blended phenotype, but it struggles with explaining traits controlled by multiple alleles.
5. Acknowledge that while Mendel's theory provides a foundation for understanding inheritance in sexually reproducing organisms, it does not account for multifactorial characters, which are influenced by multiple genes and environmental factors.