allele

n. an alternate form of a gene that occupies a given position on each of a pair of homologous chromosomes. Each person typically has two alleles of each gene: One is inherited from the mother and the other from the father. Alleles may be alike (homozygous) or different (heterozygous) and are responsible for variation in inherited characteristics, such as hair color or blood type. See also dominant allele; recessive allele. —allelic adj.

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Psychology term of the day

February 22nd 2025

Asian American

a citizen or resident of the United States whose ancestry, at least in part, can be traced to the Far East, Southeast Asia, or the Indian subcontinent.