Science word of the day: Allele, its meaning, origin, applications & more

Every living organism inherits a unique combination of traits, from eye colour and blood type to resistance against certain diseases. These characteristics are determined by genes, but genes themselves can exist in different forms. These alternative versions are known as alleles. While one allele may produce a particular trait, another may result in a different version of the same characteristic. The interaction between alleles forms the foundation of genetics, helping explain why siblings can look different despite having the same parents and why some inherited disorders occur. Today, the study of alleles plays a central role in medicine, agriculture, evolutionary biology and forensic science.What is the definition of the word "allele"Allele (noun): One of two or more alternative forms of the same gene that occupy the same position (locus) on a chromosome.