What is Allele _ It’s Meaning and Definition One member of a pair (or any of the series).
What is Allele _ It’s Meaning and Definition One member of a pair (or any of the series).
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What is Allele? – Meaning and Definition
Definition:
An allele is one of two or more versions of a gene. Each individual inherits two alleles for each gene, one from each parent. Alleles are found at the same position (locus) on homologous chromosomes.
In Simple Terms:
An allele is a variant form of a gene. For example, a gene for eye color may have different alleles such as one for brown eyes and another for blue eyes.
Key Points:
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Each organism typically has two alleles per gene.
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If the alleles are the same (e.g., AA or aa), the individual is homozygous.
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If the alleles are different (e.g., Aa), the individual is heterozygous.
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Dominant allele: Expresses its trait even if only one copy is present.
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Recessive allele: Expresses its trait only if both copies are recessive.
Example:
For a gene that controls flower color:
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Allele R = Red (dominant)
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Allele r = White (recessive)
| Genotype | Phenotype |
|---|---|
| RR | Red Flower |
| Rr | Red Flower |
| rr | White Flower |
Would you like a diagram or Punnett square to visualize how alleles work in inheritance?
