alleles

Alleles are different versions of a gene that determine specific traits in living organisms. Each gene occupies a specific spot on a chromosome, and an allele can vary slightly in its DNA sequence. For example, a gene that influences eye color might have one allele for brown eyes and another for blue eyes. Individuals inherit one allele from each parent, which together influence their traits. The combination of alleles contributes to the genetic diversity of a population and can affect everything from physical characteristics to susceptibility to certain diseases.