What is the term for a gene variant that may influence a specific trait?

An allele is a specific version of a gene that may influence a particular trait. Each gene can have multiple variants, and these variants are termed alleles. For instance, in the case of a gene that determines flower color in a plant, the allele might dictate whether the color is red or white.

Alleles contribute to the genetic diversity within a population and can result in different traits being expressed in organisms. When individuals inherit different combinations of alleles from their parents, these combinations ultimately shape their phenotypes, or observable traits.

Understanding alleles is crucial in genetics, as they are the building blocks of variations within species and play a significant role in processes such as natural selection and evolution. The other terms—chromosome, phenotype, and genotype—relate to broader concepts in genetics that do not specifically address gene variants influencing traits.