Dominance refers to the ability of an individual or group to exert control or influence over others. In social structures, such as those seen in animal behavior or human interactions, dominance can manifest through various means, including physical strength, social status, or strategic alliances. It often plays a crucial role in establishing hierarchies within communities. In the context of biology, dominance can also describe genetic traits where one allele masks the expression of another. This concept is essential in understanding inheritance patterns in organisms, as seen in Mendelian genetics, where dominant traits are more likely to be expressed in offspring compared to recessive traits.