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Allele vs Locus - What's the difference?

allele | locus |

In genetics terms the difference between allele and locus

is that allele is one of a number of alternative forms of the same gene occupying a given position on a chromosome while locus is a fixed position on a chromosome that may be occupied by one or more genes.

allele

English

(wikipedia allele)

Noun

(en noun)
  • (genetics) One of a number of alternative forms of the same gene occupying a given position on a chromosome.
  • * {{quote-magazine, year=2013, month=May-June, author= David Van Tassel], [http://www.americanscientist.org/authors/detail/lee-dehaan Lee DeHaan
  • , title= Wild Plants to the Rescue , volume=101, issue=3, magazine=(American Scientist) , passage=Plant breeding is always a numbers game.

    Synonyms

    * allelomorph

    Derived terms

    * allele frequency

    locus

    English

    Noun

    (loci)
  • A place or locality, especially a centre of activity or the scene of a crime.
  • The cafeteria was the locus of activity.
  • (mathematics) The set of all points whose coordinates satisfy a given equation or condition.
  • A circle is the locus of points from which the distance to the center is a given value, the radius.
  • (genetics) A fixed position on a chromosome that may be occupied by one or more genes.
  • Usage notes

    * sometimes confused with locust