What does the term "homozygous" refer to?

What does the term "homozygous" refer to?

• A. An organism with different alleles for a trait
• B. An organism with two identical alleles for a trait
• C. An organism with multiple traits
• D. An organism that is phenotypically dominant

Answer: (B)

The term "homozygous" specifically refers to an organism that possesses two identical alleles for a particular trait. This means that both copies of the gene (one inherited from each parent) are the same, whether they are dominant or recessive alleles. For example, if a plant has two alleles for flower color where both alleles are for purple flowers, it is considered homozygous for that flower color trait. This concept is a fundamental aspect of genetics because it helps determine how traits are expressed in an organism. In contrast, an organism with different alleles for a trait is classified as "heterozygous." Understanding homozygosity is essential in predicting patterns of inheritance and the potential genotypes and phenotypes of offspring through various genetic crosses.

The term "homozygous" specifically refers to an organism that possesses two identical alleles for a particular trait. This means that both copies of the gene (one inherited from each parent) are the same, whether they are dominant or recessive alleles. For example, if a plant has two alleles for flower color where both alleles are for purple flowers, it is considered homozygous for that flower color trait.

This concept is a fundamental aspect of genetics because it helps determine how traits are expressed in an organism. In contrast, an organism with different alleles for a trait is classified as "heterozygous." Understanding homozygosity is essential in predicting patterns of inheritance and the potential genotypes and phenotypes of offspring through various genetic crosses.