Here's a breakdown:
* Gene: A segment of DNA that codes for a specific trait.
* Allele: A specific variation of a gene.
* Heterozygous: Having two different alleles for a gene.
Example:
Let's consider eye color. Suppose the gene for eye color has two alleles:
* B: Brown eyes (dominant)
* b: Blue eyes (recessive)
An individual with the genotype Bb is heterozygous for eye color. This means they have one allele for brown eyes (B) and one allele for blue eyes (b). Since brown eyes are dominant, this individual will have brown eyes.
Important note:
* A homozygous organism has two identical alleles for a gene (e.g., BB or bb).
* Whether a heterozygous organism expresses a dominant or recessive trait depends on the specific gene and its alleles.
I hope this clarifies the concept of heterozygosity!
