Alleles are?

• A. A Gene variants
• B. B Different forms of a gene
• C. C Chromosome segments
• D. D Phenotypes

Answer: (B)

Alleles are different forms of a gene that occupy the same position on homologous chromosomes. They arise by mutation and create variation in traits. In a diploid organism, you have two alleles for each gene, which can be identical or different, and the combination you inherit influences the trait you express, especially when one allele is dominant over another. This is why “different forms of a gene” is the best description. A chromosome segment is a piece of DNA, not the specific variant of the gene. Phenotypes are the observable traits, not the genetic variants themselves.