allelisk

Alleles are variants of a gene, found at the same position on homologous chromosomes. These variations arise through mutation and can lead to different observable traits in an organism. For example, a gene responsible for eye color might have an allele for brown eyes and another for blue eyes. Individuals inherit two alleles for each gene, one from each parent. The combination of these alleles determines the individual's genotype, which in turn influences their phenotype, or expressed characteristics.

The concept of alleles is fundamental to understanding heredity and genetic variation. Dominant alleles express their trait even if only one copy is present, while recessive alleles require two copies to be expressed. When both alleles are the same, the individual is homozygous for that gene. If the alleles are different, the individual is heterozygous. The study of allele frequencies within a population is crucial for understanding evolutionary processes and genetic diversity. Changes in allele frequencies over time can indicate adaptation, genetic drift, or gene flow.