What term describes a gene that has two or more alleles in the population?

What term describes a gene that has two or more alleles in the population?

• A. Multiple alleles
• B. Pleiotropy
• C. Monogenic
• D. Allele cascade

Answer: (A)

Having two or more alleles at a gene in a population is described as having multiple alleles. This means the gene locus exists in several alternative forms among individuals, not just two. In diploid organisms, any one person carries at most two alleles, but across the population you can observe many different versions of that gene. A classic example is the ABO blood group gene, where several alleles circulate in humans, leading to multiple possible genotypes and phenotypes. When a gene has this kind of variation in a population, the locus is often called polymorphic. Pleiotropy means one gene affects multiple traits, which is about effects, not the number of alleles. Monogenic refers to a trait governed by a single gene, again not about allele count. Allele cascade isn’t a standard term for describing how many alleles exist at a locus.

Having two or more alleles at a gene in a population is described as having multiple alleles. This means the gene locus exists in several alternative forms among individuals, not just two. In diploid organisms, any one person carries at most two alleles, but across the population you can observe many different versions of that gene. A classic example is the ABO blood group gene, where several alleles circulate in humans, leading to multiple possible genotypes and phenotypes. When a gene has this kind of variation in a population, the locus is often called polymorphic. Pleiotropy means one gene affects multiple traits, which is about effects, not the number of alleles. Monogenic refers to a trait governed by a single gene, again not about allele count. Allele cascade isn’t a standard term for describing how many alleles exist at a locus.