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Multiple Choice
Which of the following statements about the number of alleles a gene can have is true?
A
A gene can have only two alleles.
B
A gene can have multiple alleles, but an individual can only have two alleles for a gene.
C
A gene can have only one allele in a population.
D
A gene can have an unlimited number of alleles, and an individual can have all of them.
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the concept of alleles: Alleles are different forms of a gene that arise by mutation and are found at the same place on a chromosome.
Recognize that a gene can have multiple alleles in a population. This means that within a population, there can be several variations of a gene.
Clarify that an individual organism can only have two alleles for a gene, one inherited from each parent. This is due to the diploid nature of most organisms, where chromosomes come in pairs.
Consider the statement 'A gene can have only two alleles.' This is incorrect because a gene can have more than two alleles in a population, although an individual can only possess two.
Evaluate the statement 'A gene can have an unlimited number of alleles, and an individual can have all of them.' This is incorrect because while a gene can have many alleles in a population, an individual can only have two alleles for each gene.