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What term refers to different versions of the same gene?

  1. Chromosomes

  2. Alleles

  3. Loci

  4. Phenotypes

The correct answer is: Alleles

The term that refers to different versions of the same gene is alleles. Alleles are variations of a gene that arise due to slight differences in their DNA sequence. For example, a gene that determines flower color may have a blue allele and a red allele. These variations can result in different traits being expressed in an organism. Understanding alleles is crucial in genetics, as they contribute to the genetic diversity of populations and play a significant role in inheritance patterns. When alleles are present in an organism, they can be homozygous (both alleles are the same) or heterozygous (two different alleles). This genetic makeup ultimately influences the phenotype, or observable characteristics, of an organism, making the study of alleles fundamental in fields such as genetics and evolutionary biology.