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Practice question

Question

What is the minimum number of alleles needed for polymorphism?

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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.