overherit

Overherit is a term used in genetics and inheritance studies to describe a phenomenon where a dominant allele's phenotypic expression is masked or reduced by the presence of another allele. This typically occurs when a gene has multiple alleles, and one allele is not only dominant over another but also over a third allele which would normally show a dominant phenotype. In essence, the "overheriting" allele suppresses the expression of another dominant allele.

This concept is distinct from simple dominance where one allele completely masks the expression of a recessive allele. Overheriting involves a more complex interplay between alleles at the same locus. The allele exhibiting overheriting is still considered dominant in the traditional sense relative to the allele it masks, but its effect is to prevent the normal dominant expression of another allele.

Examples of overheriting can be found in various organisms, though the specific terminology might vary across different fields of study. Understanding overheriting is crucial for predicting inheritance patterns, especially in cases where traditional Mendelian genetics do not fully explain observed phenotypes. It highlights the intricate nature of genetic interactions and how multiple alleles can contribute to the complexity of inherited traits.