Allele

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Current: Sep 24, 2020

Allele

An allele refers to one of the alternative forms of a gene.

Typical diploid cells have two same loci on homologous chromosomes. Two alleles, one from each parent, occupy the loci.

Public comain image showing alleles and loci

Definitions in the literature

One of two or more alternative forms of a gene [1].
One of the alternative forms of a gene or any other particular site (locus) on a chromosome. In a diploid cell there are usually two alleles of any one gene (one from each parent), which occupy the same locus on homologous chromosomes [2].
One of several alternative forms of a particular gene [3].
A particular version of a gene. Different alleles of the same gene often have different effects [4].

Also see:

References

Pierce. Genetics: A Conceptual Approach, 6th ed. Macmillan Learning, 2017. ISBN-13: 978-1319050962.
Hine (Ed.). A Dictionary of Biology, 7th ed. Oxford University Press. ISBN-13: 978-0198821489.
Audesirk et al. Biology Life on Earth with Physiology, 11th ed. Pearson. ISBN-13: 978-0134142951.
Brewer et al. The Science of Pregnancy. New Ed. ISBN-13: 978-1-4654-8053-8.

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