what is the difference between a gene and an allele
what is the difference between a gene and an allele Everything and that genes and alleles can be easily confused. The reality is that they are genetically different elements and once you understand their basic concepts, they are very easy to differentiate. In this article we address all their differences so that you learn to distinguish them easily. So let’s take a closer look at them .
- Genes are the most basic and functional hereditary unit. In other words, it means that genes make up our DNA structure and are responsible for all the genetic traits that we have.
- In humans, everyone has two copies of each gene, known as an allele, one from each parent. These alleles of a gene are responsible for the variations and uniqueness of each individual. These different variations of a particular gene are known as an allele.
As we have discussed previously, a gene is essentially part of the DNA structure and decides the genetic traits of all individuals. Alleles are the different variations of the same gene and determine a single characteristic.
The difference between gene and allele can be better understood with the help of this comparison table:
| Gene | Allele |
| A gene is a short DNA sequence that codes for a certain trait. | Alleles are different variants of a gene. |
| Genes determine the traits of an individual | Alleles are responsible for various characteristics of a certain trait. |
| A gene can have many different alleles | An individual contains one pair of alleles per particular gene, which can be homozygous, heterozygous, dominant, or recessive. |
| Examples: skin, hair, or eye color | Examples: black, brown, blue or green eye color |
Gene and allele functions what is the difference between a gene and an allele
In conclusion, we all inherit a pair of genes from our parents and these genes can be present in different allelic forms. Variation in traits, such as eye color or hair color, is the result of different alleles for a specific gene.
Frequently asked questions about genes and alleles
Where are the alleles found? what is the difference between a gene and an allele
Alleles are variants of a gene that are found in the same place on a chromosome. The locus is the location on the chromosome where a gene is found.
What is the basic structure of a gene?
Genes are made up of DNA in most organisms. All the information necessary for the survival and reproduction of living beings is present in the genes. Each gene comprises a promoter, a coding region, and a terminator.