Australian Year 10 Biology Practice Test 2026 - Free Biology Practice Questions and Study Guide

In genetics, a recessive trait is one that only manifests in an individual if two copies of the recessive allele are present, meaning both parents must contribute that allele for the trait to be expressed. Hazelnut eye color is typically influenced by a recessive allele, whereas brown, black, and blonde hair colors are often dominant traits.

So, for this question, hazel eyes represent a trait that can occur when the individual inherits two recessive alleles, making it a suitable example of a recessive trait. This genetic foundation helps to explain why hazel eyes might be less common than brown or black eyes, which are generally associated with dominant alleles that overshadow the recessive information present.