12/24/2007

allele

An allele is an alternate form of a gene at a particular location (locus) on a chromosome, and provides for genetic variability. In diploid organisms, which have two copies of each chromosome, each allele is inherited from one parent through sexual reproduction.

Alleles determine the genotype of individuals, and through genetic expression affect the phenotype of each individual. Biological evolution involves an alteration in the intergenerational frequency of alleles in populations.

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