Question

Define heterozygous and provide and example

Answer 1

Definition:

Having two different alleles of a particular gene or genes.

(an Allele is a variant form of a gene.)

Simplification:

If the organism has one copy of two different alleles, it is heterozygous.

Eg: T and t

(T for tall and t for short)

Example:

Pea Plants

Pea plants can have red flowers and either be homozygous dominant (red-red), or heterozygous (red-white). If they have white flowers, then they are homozygous recessive (white-white). Carriers are always heterozygous.