Question

Why it is advantageous to have 2 alleles per trait?

Answer 1

Alleles:

1. At a specific genomic region, an allele is one of two or more variations of the DNA sequence (a single base or a segment of nucleotides).
2. For each genomic region with such variation, an individual inherits two alleles, one from each parent.
3. When both alleles are identical, the person is homozygous for that allele.

Advantages:

1. An organism may possess two alleles of the same gene or two alleles of a distinct gene.
2. Alleles can be recessive, dominant, or codominant with one another as a result.
3. A gene with two copies is favorable because, in the event of a harmful mutation, a diploid organism is more likely to have at least one allele that is still present and functioning.