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Allele

From , former About.com Guide

Updated July 16, 2008

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Definition: An alternate form of a gene that represents a specific variation of a genetic trait.
Pronunciation: ul-eel
Also Known As: mutations, genetic variations, allemorph
Examples:

All humans have a gene for hair color but we don't all have the same color hair. The exact color of our hair is determined by an allele, or combination of alleles, of the gene for hair color.

In cystic fibrosis, alleles of the CFTR gene will determine if a person has, or is a carrier of, the disease.

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