Which term refers to one or more alternative forms of a gene?

The term that refers to one or more alternative forms of a gene is "allele." Alleles are different versions of a gene that can exist at a specific locus on a chromosome. For example, a gene that determines flower color in a plant may have one allele for red flowers and another for white flowers. Each individual inherits two alleles for each gene, one from each parent. This genetic variation is essential for the diversity observed in traits among individuals within a population.

In contrast, a genotype represents the specific genetic makeup of an individual regarding a particular trait, encompassing the alleles present. Homozygote describes an organism that has two identical alleles for a gene, while phenotype refers to the observable characteristics or traits of an organism, which result from the interaction of the genotype with the environment. Understanding these terms is crucial for studying genetic inheritance and variation.