The nucleus of a cell contains special structures called Chromosomes. The chromosomes contain genes that carry all the information to make you you. Chromosomes are your DNA. Genes are also referred to as alleles. Look at the following picture carefully before going to the definitions that follow. You may be expected to label the parts later.

Look at the picture and identify the 2 alleles. There are alleles for the "tall/short" trait, 2 alleles for the "yellow/green" trait, and 2 alleles for the "round/wrinkled" trait. This picture is for the pea plant, but what about you? You may have alleles for traits that you don't express.

Discover how genetics is used as a career in exploring chromosomes.