What is an allele?(1 point)
Responses
a trait that can be masked
a trait that can be masked
a non-inherited trait
a non-inherited trait
a variant form of a gene
a variant form of a gene
a trait that appears in an offspring if one of the parents contributes it
a trait that appears in an offspring if one of the parents contributes it
An allele is a variant form of a gene. It is a trait that can be masked and appears in an offspring if one of the parents contributes it.
The correct answer is "a variant form of a gene."
To understand what an allele is, it is helpful to first understand what a gene is. A gene is a segment of DNA that carries the instructions for making a specific protein, which ultimately determines the traits of an organism.
Now, within a gene, there can be different versions or variants, which we refer to as alleles. These alleles can have slight differences in their DNA sequence, leading to variations in the traits they control. For example, a gene that controls eye color may have different alleles that determine whether the individual has blue, brown, or green eyes.
Each individual inherits two alleles for each gene, one from each parent. These alleles can be the same (homozygous) or different (heterozygous). The combination of alleles determines the phenotype (observable traits) of an individual.
Therefore, an allele is a specific variant or form of a gene that determines a particular trait or feature in an organism. It is important to note that some alleles can be dominant and mask the effects of other alleles, while some alleles can be recessive and only appear in the offspring if both parents contribute them.