Allele

Quick meaning: Allele is a noun meaning (genetics) One of a number of alternative forms of the same gene occupying a given position, or locus, on a chromosome.

Meaning

(genetics) One of a number of alternative forms of the same gene occupying a given position, or locus, on a chromosome.

Example Sentences

Plant breeding is always a numbers game.[…]The wild species we use are rich in genetic variation, and individual plants are highly heterozygous and do not breed true. In addition, we are looking for rare alleles, so the more plants we try, the better.

Genes are competing directly with their alleles for survival, since their alleles in the gene pool are rivals for their slot on the chromosomes of future generations. Any gene that behaves in such a way as to increase its own survival chances in the gene pool at the expense of its alleles will, by definition, tautologously, tend to survive.

Word Forms

• alleles

Synonyms for allele

Depending on context, synonyms include allelomorph.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include allelomorph, gene, hypomorphic, variant, homoallele, locus.

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