Definition: An allele is an alternative form of a gene (one member of a pair) that is located at a specific position on a specific chromosome.
Related Terms: Genes,
Heterozygous,
Homozygous
Examples: The gene for seed shape in pea plants exists in two forms, one form or allele for round seed shape (R) and the other for wrinkled seed shape (r).
Organisms have two alleles for each trait. When the alleles of a pair are heterozygous, one is dominant and the other is recessive. The dominant allele is expressed and the recessive allele is masked. Using the previous example, round seed shape (R) is dominant and wrinkled seed shape (r) is recessive. Round: (RR) or (Rr), Wrinkled: (rr).
Related Resources: Chromosomes and Gender,
Law of Segregation,
Independent Assortment
