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Name: Mohommad
Status: Other
Grade:  Other
Location: CA
Country: United States
Date: February 2007
Question:
What exactly are non-allelic genes and how do they influence other allelic genes?


Replies:
Non-allelic genes are genes located at different loci on the same chromosome or on different chromosomes altogether. For example, the gene for albinism is not an allele of any other gene affecting eye color but affects eye color by preventing the synthesis of melanin which is deposited in the iris and determines the color of the eye. This phenomenon whereby a non-allelic gene masks the expression of another non-allelic gene is known as epistasis. For more examples, look up epistasis in a genetics text book or at Wikipedia.com.

Ron Baker, Ph.D.


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