eterozigotes

Eterozigotes refers to a state in genetics where an individual possesses two different alleles for a particular gene. Alleles are different versions of the same gene, and they are inherited from each parent. For instance, if a gene controls eye color, one allele might code for brown eyes and another for blue eyes. An individual who is heterozygous for this gene would have one allele for brown eyes and one for blue eyes. This contrasts with homozygotes, who have two identical alleles for a gene.

The expression of traits in eterozigotes depends on the relationship between the two alleles. If one allele is dominant over the other, the dominant allele's trait will be expressed. For example, if the brown eye allele is dominant, a heterozygous individual will have brown eyes. If neither allele is dominant, a phenomenon called codominance may occur, where both traits are expressed simultaneously, or incomplete dominance, where an intermediate trait is observed. The study of eterozigotes is fundamental to understanding inheritance patterns and genetic variation within populations.