Different versions of the same gene are called alleles.
Alleles are variations of a particular gene that arise due to slight differences in their DNA sequences. For example, a gene that determines a specific trait, such as flower color in plants, may have different alleles that dictate whether the flower will be red, white, or yellow. These variations can affect how traits are expressed in an organism, leading to the diversity we observe in nature. Understanding alleles is crucial in genetics, as they play a significant role in inheritance patterns and the study of evolutionary biology.