answersLogoWhite

0


Best Answer

*An allele is basically the different forms a particular gene can take (describes the various genotypes/phenotypes a gene can take).* For example there is an allele of a gene which codes for haemoglobin in red blood cells, which gives them their characteristic concave shape. But there can also be a mutation in that gene, which causes a different allele to be produced which gives it a sickle-cell shape, which leads to sickle-cell anaemia.

User Avatar

Wiki User

βˆ™ 15y ago
This answer is:
User Avatar
More answers
User Avatar

AnswerBot

βˆ™ 5mo ago

An allele is a variant form of a gene that determines a specific trait or characteristic. Alleles can differ in their nucleotide sequence and can be dominant or recessive in their expression. Individuals inherit two alleles for each gene, one from each parent.

This answer is:
User Avatar

Add your answer:

Earn +20 pts
Q: How would you describe what an allele is?
Write your answer...
Submit
Still have questions?
magnify glass
imp
Continue Learning about Biology

The cross between the homozygous tall parent and the honozygous short parent produces only tall offspring what is the term used to describe the allele for shortness?

The term used to describe the allele for shortness is recessive. In this case, the allele for shortness is masked or overridden by the dominant allele for tallness.


What is an example of allele frequency?

An example of allele frequency is when in a population of 100 individuals, 60 individuals have the dominant allele (A) for a specific gene, while 40 individuals have the recessive allele (a). The frequency of the dominant allele (A) would be 0.6, and the frequency of the recessive allele (a) would be 0.4.


Which one does not belong Phenotype - genotype - allele?

Phenotype does not belong because it represents the physical characteristics or traits of an organism, whereas genotype and allele both refer to the genetic makeup of an organism.


If a trait made an organism less likely to survive and reproduce what would happen to the allele for the trait?

The allele for the trait would likely decrease in frequency within the population over time through natural selection, as individuals with that allele are less likely to reproduce and pass on their genes to the next generation. This process can eventually lead to the allele being eliminated from the population.


What is allele masked by the dominant allele?

An allele that is masked by the dominant allele is called a recessive allele. When an individual has one dominant allele and one recessive allele, only the trait determined by the dominant allele will be expressed. The recessive allele will only be expressed if an individual has two copies of it (homozygous recessive).

Related questions

What would best describe the means by which an individual bacterium would have antibiotic resistance?

it inherited the allele that made it resisnt.


How is an allele describe?

One haploid cell


The cross between the homozygous tall parent and the honozygous short parent produces only tall offspring what is the term used to describe the allele for shortness?

The term used to describe the allele for shortness is recessive. In this case, the allele for shortness is masked or overridden by the dominant allele for tallness.


What is the term used to describe the strongest gene from a pair of genes?

The dominant allele.


If an allele for a particular trait is NOT expressed at all when another allele for the trait is present the allele is .?

The allele not expressed would be recessive whilst the other is dominant. This would be the case in a heterozygous genotype. Hope this helps


If an allele for a particular trait is not expressed at all when another allele for the trait is present the allele is?

The allele not expressed would be recessive whilst the other is dominant. This would be the case in a heterozygous genotype. Hope this helps


What is an example of allele frequency?

An example of allele frequency is when in a population of 100 individuals, 60 individuals have the dominant allele (A) for a specific gene, while 40 individuals have the recessive allele (a). The frequency of the dominant allele (A) would be 0.6, and the frequency of the recessive allele (a) would be 0.4.


What is the phenotype of an individual with one allele for dimple and one allele for no dimples?

This would depend on whether the allele for dimples is dominant or recessive. If the allele for dimples is dominant and the no dimples allele is recessive then the phenotype of the individual would be dimpled. If the allele for no dimples is dominant and the allele for no dimples is recessive then the dimples will not be expressed. If these alleles are codominant then the dimples will be expressed but not as much as in an individual who has both alleles for dimples.


Which one does not belong Phenotype - genotype - allele?

Phenotype does not belong because it represents the physical characteristics or traits of an organism, whereas genotype and allele both refer to the genetic makeup of an organism.


What is a recessive genes?

Recessive is a relative term used to describe the relationship to another allele termed the dominant allele. That traits of the recessive allele will only be shown if the person has two copies of the recessive allele. If a dominant allele is present, then the recessive trait will not be shown.


Would a recessive allele or dominant allele be more common in population?

Dominant allele because its more likely to be received by the next generation.


Describe what is occurring when a population is said to evolve?

The allele frequency of the populations gene pool is changing.