Which term refers to a gene variant that can exist in multiple forms?

Which term refers to a gene variant that can exist in multiple forms?

• A. Allele
• B. Locus
• C. Gene
• D. Chromosome

Answer: (A)

An allele is a variant form of a gene that can exist in multiple forms in a population. At a specific gene locus on a chromosome, different alleles encode slightly different versions of the gene product or its regulation, leading to variation in traits. In diploid organisms, you typically have two alleles at a locus—one inherited from each parent. The locus is just the location on the chromosome, the gene is the unit of heredity, and the chromosome is the larger structure that carries many genes.

An allele is a variant form of a gene that can exist in multiple forms in a population. At a specific gene locus on a chromosome, different alleles encode slightly different versions of the gene product or its regulation, leading to variation in traits. In diploid organisms, you typically have two alleles at a locus—one inherited from each parent. The locus is just the location on the chromosome, the gene is the unit of heredity, and the chromosome is the larger structure that carries many genes.