What is the individual when both genes at the same locus on a chromosome pair are different?

What is the individual when both genes at the same locus on a chromosome pair are different?

• A. Heterozygous
• B. Homozygous
• C. Chimera
• D. Wild type

Answer: (A)

Two different alleles at the same gene locus on homologous chromosomes indicate heterozygosity. In a diploid organism you inherit one allele from each parent; when these alleles are different, the genotype is heterozygous (for example, Aa). If the alleles are the same, it's homozygous (AA or aa). Chimera describes an organism with two genetically distinct cell lines, not simply two alleles at one locus. Wild type refers to the common natural allele or phenotype, not the heterozygous condition. So the correct term for having different alleles at that locus is heterozygous.

Two different alleles at the same gene locus on homologous chromosomes indicate heterozygosity. In a diploid organism you inherit one allele from each parent; when these alleles are different, the genotype is heterozygous (for example, Aa). If the alleles are the same, it's homozygous (AA or aa). Chimera describes an organism with two genetically distinct cell lines, not simply two alleles at one locus. Wild type refers to the common natural allele or phenotype, not the heterozygous condition. So the correct term for having different alleles at that locus is heterozygous.