pair alleles (english) - meaning, definition, translation, pronunciation

Part of Speech

Noun Phrase

Phonetic Transcription

/pɛr ˈæliːlz/

Meaning and Usage

Meaning:
The term "pair alleles" refers to the two forms of a gene that are located at the same position (locus) on homologous chromosomes. Alleles can be identical (homozygous) or different (heterozygous).

Usage:
This term is primarily used in genetics and biology, particularly in discussions regarding inheritance, genetic variation, and traits based on Mendelian genetics.

Frequency of Use:
"Pair alleles" is more frequently used in academic and scientific contexts (written context) rather than in everyday oral speech.

Example Sentences

1. The plant showed a dominant trait because it had a pair alleles for height.
   (La planta mostró un rasgo dominante porque tenía un par de alelos para la altura.)

2. Understanding how to identify a pair alleles can help in breeding programs.
   (Comprender cómo identificar un par de alelos puede ayudar en los programas de cría.)

3. When studying inheritance, it is essential to know how a pair alleles interact.
   (Al estudiar la herencia, es esencial saber cómo interactúa un par de alelos.)

Idiomatic Expressions

While "pair alleles" does not frequently appear in idiomatic expressions due to its specific scientific context, here are a few related scientific idioms that may incorporate the word "pair" in genetics discussions:

1. "All pairs make a perfect team."
   (Todos los pares hacen un equipo perfecto.)
   This can refer to how pairs of alleles work together to express phenotypes.

2. "A pair of genes plays a crucial role."
   (Un par de genes juega un papel crucial.)
   This emphasizes the importance of gene pairs in determining traits.

3. "You can't separate a pair without consequences."
   (No puedes separar un par sin consecuencias.)
   In genetics, separating allele pairs can result in unexpected traits in offspring.

Etymology

The word "allele" comes from the Greek word "allelon," meaning "of one another." The term was coined in the early 20th century to describe variations of a gene that influence a trait found at the same position on a chromosome. "Pair" originated from the Latin "paria," meaning "two of a kind," referring to the concept of two alleles being present.

Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms:
- Allele pair
- Genetic pair
- Homologous alleles

Antonyms:
- Dominant allele (without a pair)
- Recessive allele (independent of a pair)

In genetics, "pair alleles" is a critical concept for understanding how traits are inherited and expressed in organisms.