Multiple Alleles I SHORT EXPLANATION

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Multiple Alleles I SHORT EXPLANATION

Multiple Alleles, which refers to a situation where more than two alleles of a single gene exist within a population.
While an individual organism still inherits only two alleles—one from each parent—multiple alleles in the population allow for a greater variety of genetic traits.
A classic example of this is the ABO blood type system in humans.
Your blood type—A, B, AB, or O—is determined by antigens on your red blood cells.
Antigens act like labels or ID cards on cells, helping your immune system recognize which cells belong to your body (self) and which are invaders (foreign).
Group A? You’ve got A antigens.
Group B? You have B antigens.
Group AB? Lucky you—you have both A and B antigens.
Group O? You’ve got no antigens at all!
Now let’s talk about antibodies.
Your immune system makes antibodies, which act like security guards—they recognize foreign antigens and attack them to protect the body.
Type A has anti-B antibodies.
Type B has anti-A antibodies.
Type AB? No antibodies—you’re the universal recipient!
Type O has both anti-A and anti-B antibodies—so it can only receive from O, but can donate to anyone! That’s why O is the universal donor.
Conclusion:
The ABO blood group system is controlled by a single gene with three different alleles:
• Allele A,
• Allele B, and
• Allele O (also called i, the recessive form).
These multiple alleles combine in different ways to produce all four blood types.

In addition, there are other traits influenced by multiple alleles. For instance, hair color is controlled by several alleles, leading to a variety of shades, from blonde to brown to black, and even red. The texture of hair—whether it's straight, wavy, or curly—can also be influenced by multiple alleles interacting. Similarly, eye color and eye shape are determined by several alleles, contributing to the wide range of eye colors we see, like blue, green, and brown, as well as differences in shape. Even skin complexion, ranging from lighter to darker shades, is a result of multiple alleles working together. These traits show us how the interaction of different alleles can lead to a diversity of characteristics in individuals.