Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Allelic interactions describe how different alleles of a gene express themselves when paired in a heterozygous individual.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
- Codominance: A condition where both alleles of a gene are fully expressed in the phenotype of a heterozygote.
Neither allele is dominant or recessive, and their distinct protein products are expressed and detectable simultaneously.
- A classic example is the human ABO blood group system, where individuals with the $I^A I^B$ genotype express both A and B antigens on their red blood cells.
- In contrast, incomplete dominance produces an intermediate, blended phenotype (such as pink flowers from red and white parents) where neither allele is fully expressed.
Step 3: Final Answer:
An allelic relationship where both distinct proteins are detected in the heterozygote is called codominance.