Homozygous and heterozygous are terms used to describe allele pairs, which are different versions of a gene. Here are the key differences between homozygous and heterozygous:
Homozygous
- An individual carrying two identical alleles (RR or rr) is known as homozygous.
- Homozygosity is the condition of having two identical alleles at a locus.
- Homozygous alleles can show complete dominance, codominance, or incomplete dominance.
- Homozygous individuals produce only one type of gamete.
- Homozygous alleles can be either homozygous dominant or homozygous recessive.
- Homozygous for a particular gene means you inherited two identical versions.
Heterozygous
- Individual organisms bearing different alleles (Rr) are known as heterozygous.
- Heterozygosity describes a single gene having two different alleles.
- Heterozygous alleles can show complete dominance, codominance, or incomplete dominance.
- Heterozygous individuals produce two types of gametes.
- Heterozygous means you have two different alleles.
- In a heterozygous genotype, the dominant allele overrules the recessive one.
In summary, homozygous refers to two identical alleles, while heterozygous refers to two different alleles. Homozygous individuals produce only one type of gamete, while heterozygous individuals produce two types of gametes. Homozygous alleles can be either homozygous dominant or homozygous recessive, while heterozygous alleles can show complete dominance, codominance, or incomplete dominance.
