Alleles are slightly different forms of the same...............

Answer

**Step-by-Step Solution:**

1. **Understanding Alleles**: Begin by defining what an allele is. Alleles are alternative forms of a gene that arise due to slight variations in the DNA sequence.

2. **Relationship with Genes**: Recognize that alleles are associated with genes. A gene is a segment of DNA that codes for a specific trait, and alleles represent the different variations of that gene.

3. **Location on Chromosomes**: Note that alleles are located on the same chromosome at a specific position known as the locus. This means that for any given gene, there can be multiple alleles present.

4. **Inheritance**: Understand that alleles are inherited from parents to offspring through gametes (sperm and egg cells). Each parent contributes one allele for each gene, resulting in a pair of alleles in the offspring.

5. **Conclusion**: Based on the definitions and relationships discussed, conclude that the correct answer to the question is "gene." Therefore, alleles are slightly different forms of the same gene.

**Final Answer**: Alleles are slightly different forms of the same **gene**.

---