Which of the following describes the relationship between alleles and genes?

The chosen answer highlights that alleles are indeed different variations or versions of the same gene. Genes are segments of DNA that code for specific traits, while alleles represent the different forms that a gene can take. For example, a gene that determines flower color in a plant may have one allele for red flowers and another allele for white flowers. This variation allows for genetic diversity within a population.

Understanding this relationship is fundamental in genetics because changes in alleles can result in different phenotypes, or observable traits. This concept is crucial for the study of inheritance, as it explains how traits can be passed from parents to offspring and how variation arises within species. Other options listed do not accurately represent the established definitions and relationships in genetics.