Alleles
Definition
Alleles are different versions of a gene that determine specific traits in an organism. Each individual inherits two alleles for each gene, one from each parent.
5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test
- Alleles can be dominant or recessive, dictating how traits are expressed.
- An individual with two identical alleles for a trait is homozygous, while one with two different alleles is heterozygous.
- The combination of alleles an individual possesses is called their genotype, which determines their phenotype or observable characteristics.
- Mendel's laws of inheritance, including the law of segregation and the law of independent assortment, explain how alleles are passed from parents to offspring.
- Mutations in alleles can lead to variations within a population, contributing to genetic diversity.
Review Questions
- What is the difference between a dominant and a recessive allele?
- How do homozygous and heterozygous genotypes differ?
- What role do alleles play in Mendel's laws of inheritance?
"Alleles" appears in:
Related terms
Genotype: The genetic makeup of an organism represented by its set of alleles.
Phenotype: The physical expression or characteristics of an organism resulting from its genotype.
Mutation: A change in the DNA sequence that can create new alleles and contribute to genetic diversity.
