Which genotype describes two different alleles for a trait?

Which genotype describes two different alleles for a trait?

• A. Homozygous
• B. Genotype
• C. Heterozygous
• D. Phenotype

Answer: (C)

Two different alleles for a trait indicate heterozygosity. In a heterozygous genotype, the pair of alleles at a gene locus are different (often written as Aa), meaning one copy of each allele is present. This is different from homozygosity, where both alleles are the same (AA or aa). The term genotype refers to the genetic makeup at that locus, not the observable trait, which is the phenotype. So when the question describes two different alleles, the best fit is heterozygous.

Two different alleles for a trait indicate heterozygosity. In a heterozygous genotype, the pair of alleles at a gene locus are different (often written as Aa), meaning one copy of each allele is present. This is different from homozygosity, where both alleles are the same (AA or aa). The term genotype refers to the genetic makeup at that locus, not the observable trait, which is the phenotype. So when the question describes two different alleles, the best fit is heterozygous.