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 .

A gene is a part of the DNA chain in which all genetic information is located and that determines the genetic traits of individuals. Instead, an allele is each different version of a gene and its possible variants.

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.

Gene vs allele : comparison table what is the difference between a gene and 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

Genes are responsible for the traits of an organism. They act as instructions for protein synthesis. There is one pair of each gene present on homologous chromosomes, one from each parent. These are known as alleles that play an important role in shaping the characteristics of individuals.

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.

Mohammad Asif Goraya

M A Goraya has qualification of M.phil in Agricultural Sciences. He has almost 15 years of teaching Experience at college and university level. He likes to share his research based knowledge with his students and audience.