What is a homozygote?

A homozygote is defined as an individual who has two identical alleles for a particular gene. This means that both copies of the gene (one inherited from each parent) are the same, resulting in a uniform expression of that gene in the phenotype. For example, in a simple Mendelian trait, an organism may have two dominant alleles (homozygous dominant) or two recessive alleles (homozygous recessive), leading to consistent trait expression among individuals with that genotype.

Having identical alleles allows for predictable inheritance patterns and is significant in genetics, as it can influence the likelihood of expressing certain traits or diseases. Knowing whether an individual is a homozygote or heterozygote (having two different alleles) can be crucial in various fields such as genetics, breeding, and medicine, particularly when assessing genetic disorders.