Genetics & Heredity
Lesson 1 of 3 6 min +40 XP

Genes & Alleles

The instructions behind your traits.

What you'll learn

  • Understand genes & alleles
  • Apply it to real examples
  • Check yourself with a quiz
Grandmother's eyes

People say you have your grandmother's eyes — instructions copied down through DNA. Each gene comes in versions called alleles, and which ones you inherit shape your traits.

Versions of a gene

A gene codes for a trait; an allele is one version of it. You inherit one allele from each parent.

Knowledge Check

+10 XP / correct

1. An allele is…

2. How many alleles of a gene do you inherit?