A trait that is demonstrated in the offspring is referred to as what type of trait?

A trait that is demonstrated in the offspring is referred to as a dominant trait because dominant traits are expressed when at least one dominant allele is present in the genotype. This means that the characteristics associated with the dominant allele take precedence over those associated with recessive alleles. For instance, if one parent contributes a dominant allele for a specific trait, that trait will be exhibited in the offspring, regardless of the other parent's allele.

In contrast, recessive traits require two copies of the recessive allele to be expressed, meaning they can be masked by the presence of a dominant allele. Co-dominant traits result in offspring displaying characteristics of both alleles simultaneously, rather than just one dominant trait. Incomplete dominance occurs when the phenotype of heterozygotes is an intermediate blend of the two alleles, rather than one trait being dominant over the other. Thus, the defining trait of offspring expressing a certain dominant characteristic firmly establishes the correctness of identifying it as a dominant trait.