Practice question
Question
What is the minimum number of alleles needed for polymorphism?
Explanation
Polymorphism in genetics is defined as the occurrence of two or more discontinuous allelic variants at a locus in a population, with the most common allele having a frequency less than ninety five to ninety nine percent depending on definition used. Therefore, a minimum of two alleles is strictly required to consider a locus polymorphic. A single allele indicates monomorphism providing no genetic information. Higher allele numbers increase polymorphism but the threshold for classification as polymorphic remains presence of an alternative variant enabling diversity studies.