noun
- different forms of the same gene that occupy the same position on a chromosome and control the same trait
Usage: biology; genetics
Examples
- Brown and blue eye color are controlled by different alleles of the same gene.
- Each parent contributes one allele for each trait to their offspring.
- Dominant alleles mask the expression of recessive alleles.
- The student learned that alleles determine genetic variation in populations.
- Scientists study how different alleles affect disease susceptibility.
- Heterozygous individuals carry two different alleles for a particular gene.