Difference Between

Allele vs Genotype
 

In diploid organisms, chromosomes exist in homologous pairs. In a homologous pair of chromosomes, one is inherited from the mother, and the other is inherited from the father. Each chromosome contains a large number of genes arranged in a definite sequence. In a homologous pair, the two chromosomes are of the same length. The position of the centromere is the same, and they have the same chromosome except in sex chromosomes. Also, they have the same gene loci. The position of a gene in the chromosome is known as the locus of the gene. A gene may have 2 or more forms and each of these forms is an allele.

Allele

Gene is the basic unit of inheritance for a given characteristic. One of a number of alternative forms of the same genes that is responsible for determining contrasting characteristics is known as an allele. Position of an allele within a chromosome or DNA molecule is known as a locus. Different alleles result in different phenotypes. The alleles of the same gene are positioned at the same locus of a chromosome. Alleles can be dominant alleles or recessive alleles. A dominant allele is an allele which determines the phenotype or appearance of an individual even in the presence of an alternative or contrasting allele. Normally a dominant allele is represented by a capital English letter. A recessive allele is an allele which is responsible for the appearance or phenotype only in the presence of an identical allele. Normally a recessive allele is represented by a simple English letter. Homozygous condition is a diploid condition in which the alleles at a given locus are identical. Heterozygous condition is a diploid condition in which the alleles at a given locus are not identical. Therefore, dominance occurs when one allele suppresses the expression of the other in the presence of two different, contrasting alleles of a gene. Recessive occurs when expression of the allele is only when homozygous and suppress when heterozygous.

Genotype

Genetic constituent of an organism which results in the external appearance that is with respect to the characters under consideration is known as the genotype of that organism.