A gene for flower color can have multiple alleles like purple, white, or red.

In genetics, alleles are different versions or forms of a gene. So, when we say a gene for flower color can have multiple alleles like purple, white, or red, it means that there are different variations of the gene that can result in different flower colors.

To understand how alleles work, we need to consider the concept of dominant and recessive alleles. In this case, let's assume that the purple allele is dominant, and the white and red alleles are recessive.

If a flower has two copies of the purple allele (homozygous dominant), it will exhibit the purple color. Similarly, if it has one purple and one white allele (heterozygous), the dominant purple allele will override the effect of the recessive white allele, resulting in a purple flower. However, if both alleles are white or both are red (homozygous recessive), the flower will appear white or red, respectively.

When it comes to determining the possible flower colors within a population, it depends on the genotype frequencies. If we know the number of individuals with each genotype, we can calculate the expected proportions of each flower color by using a Punnett square or analyzing the genetic cross.

It's important to note that the actual color of a flower can be influenced by various factors, including environmental conditions and interactions between different genes. Additionally, this example assumes a simplified genetic model, but in reality, the inheritance of flower color can be more complex.