Question

What are alleles?

Hint:

Alleles can be dominant or recessive, and their combinations determine the expression of traits in an organism.

Answer 1

Alleles are different forms of a gene that exist at the same locus (position) on homologous chromosomes. Each individual has two alleles for each gene (one inherited from each parent). These alleles may be: - Dominant Allele: The allele that expresses its effect even if only one copy is present (e.g., B for brown eyes). - Recessive Allele: The allele whose effect is masked when a dominant allele is present (e.g., b for blue eyes). Example: For the gene that determines eye color, there may be two alleles: one for brown eyes (dominant) and one for blue eyes (recessive).
Final Answer: Alleles are alternative forms of a gene that are found at the same location on homologous chromosomes and control the expression of traits.