Re: Hamilton's rule

in article dj1v9k$1pca$1@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, Catherine Woodgold at
an588@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx wrote on 10/17/05 9:56 PM:

> Guy Hoelzer (hoelzer@xxxxxxx) writes:
>> Most of the time when we say "gene", what we mean is "allele." Other
>> times, we merely mean "locus."
>
> I guess "locus" means the place where the gene fits in,
> but I wonder whether it usually means on one chromosome,
> or whether the same "locus" is usually assumed to be
> on the homologous chromosome too,

Thanks for the clear question. The term locus is used to describe a place
on a particular kind of chromosome. So a locus on one chromosome is the
same locus on all homologous chromosomes. This is identical to the notion
that a particular gene exists simultaneously on homologous chromosomes.

> and if so what
> word one can use to talk about the spot on just
> one chromosome at a time, because I need to be
> able to refer to that concept in these discussions.

I don't know of any term used that way. If I were in your position I would
simply say something like "locus A on this chromosome." In other words, I
would label the homologous chromosomes and talk about locus A in association
with one chromosome at a time.

Guy


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