Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Extensions of Mendelian genetics include various allelic interactions that modify standard inheritance patterns and ratios.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Let us match each genetic phenomenon with its correct definition or example:
- (A) Incomplete dominance: The phenotype of the heterozygote is intermediate between those of the two homozygotes (e.g., pink flowers in Mirabilis jalapa), so (A) matches with (II).
- (B) Codominance: The heterozygote simultaneously expresses both parental phenotypes (e.g., AB blood group or mixed hair color in cattle), so (B) matches with (III).
- (C) Multiple alleles: A single gene locus has three or more alternative alleles in a population (e.g., coat color in rabbits, which is controlled by a series of four alleles), so (C) matches with (IV).
- (D) Lethal alleles: Allelic combinations that cause the premature death of the organism (e.g., homozygous recessive albinism in plants, which prevents photosynthesis), so (D) matches with (I).
This gives the correct sequence: (A)-(II), (B)-(III), (C)-(IV), (D)-(I).
Step 3: Final Answer:
Hence, the correct option is (C).