What is an allele?(1 point)Responses
a trait that appears in an offspring if one of the parents contributes it
a variant form of a gene
a non-inherited trait
a trait that can be masked
b. a variant form of a gene
An allele is a variant form of a gene. (1 point)
The correct answer is: a variant form of a gene.
To arrive at the correct answer, let's break down the options:
Option 1: "A trait that appears in an offspring if one of the parents contributes it" - This is not the correct definition of an allele. While traits can be inherited from parents, an allele specifically refers to a variant form of a gene, not a specific trait.
Option 2: "A variant form of a gene" - This is the correct definition of an allele. Genes are segments of DNA that code for specific traits and can have different variants or versions called alleles.
Option 3: "A non-inherited trait" - This statement is incorrect. Alleles can be inherited from parents, so it refers to inherited traits.
Option 4: "A trait that can be masked" - This statement is partially correct. Alleles can be dominant or recessive. Dominant alleles will be expressed and mask the effects of recessive alleles.
Therefore, the correct answer is option 2: a variant form of a gene.