Question

Give the term for alternative forms of a gene known as _____.

Answer 1

Genes are defined as the basic unit of heredity and comprises sequences of nucleotides of either DNA or RNA. The term gene was introduced by danish geneticist Wilhelm Johannsen in the year of 1909.

Complete answer:
Expression of genes takes place when the DNA is first transcribed into RNA that is further translated into proteins which carry out specific functions giving rise to a phenotypic expression. all organisms inherit genes from their parents as a result of which they show similar characteristics like their parents. Asexual organisms inherit complete copy of the genome of their parents whereas sexual organisms inherit one complete set from both the parents.

The genotype of an organism is expressed by their physical as well as behavioral characteristics which is known as the phenotype. Each gene is made up of two or more variants or alternative forms which are termed as alleles. The alleles are either dominant or recessive, dominant alleles are the ones which always expresses themselves whenever they are present whereas recessive alleles are ones that express themselves when both the alleles are recessive and are unable to express themselves when one of the alleles is dominant one.

Note: Genes thus play an important role in determination of the genetic composition of an organism which in turn also affects its phenotypic characteristic. Any mutation of the gene thus leads to formation of non-functional proteins which leads to the development of different severe diseases.