Allele

📖 Full definition

For each gene, an individual usually inherits two alleles (one from each parent). If both alleles are identical the person is homozygous; otherwise heterozygous. Alleles can be dominant, recessive or codominant.

💡 Concrete example

The OCA2 gene has multiple alleles influencing eye colour. The "brown" allele is dominant over the "blue" allele.

🔄 Synonyms

gene variant

🔗 See also

• Dominant gene →
• Recessive gene →
• Mendelian →
• Genotype →

📰 Articles mentioning this

• Why Does a Child Look More Like One Parent Than the Other? →
• What Eye Colour Will My Baby Have? Genetics Explains →