Alleles: Explanation and Study Guide

Definition: Alleles are different forms of a gene that can occupy the same position, or locus, on a chromosome.

Explanation: Genes are segments of DNA that determine specific traits, such as hair color or eye color. Alleles are variations of a gene that can lead to different expressions of the trait. For example, the gene for eye color may have alleles for blue, brown, or green eyes.

Types of Alleles: There are two main types of alleles: dominant and recessive. Dominant alleles mask the expression of recessive alleles when they are present together. For example, if a person has one dominant allele for brown eyes and one recessive allele for blue eyes, their eyes will appear brown because the dominant allele is expressed.

Study Guide:

1. What are alleles?
2. How do alleles relate to genes and traits?
3. What are the two main types of alleles?
4. Provide an example of how dominant and recessive alleles interact.
5. How are alleles inherited from parents?
6. Explain the concept of homozygous and heterozygous alleles.

Understanding alleles is essential in comprehending patterns of inheritance and genetic diversity. By studying alleles, we can gain insights into the inheritance of traits and the mechanisms of genetic variation.