Re: What is heterozygous and homozygous?

Hi Dear

The structure and function of every living organism is determined by genes 
it inherits from its ancestors - the collection of all genes in a type of 
organism is called its genome. A location of a specific gene within a 
genome is called a locus, and the set of different forms of the gene are 
alleles. 
Almost all higher organisms are diploid, that is, they harbour two sets of 
chromosomes.  Many plant have more sets of chromosomes and are polyploids.
When an allele at a given locus on one chromosome of the pair is not 
identical to the allele at the same locus on the other chromosome, then 
this is referred to as Heterozygous (with respect to the gene or trait).
When an allele at a given locus on one chromosome of the pair is identical 
to the allele at the same locus on the other chromosome, then thsi is 
referred to as Homozygous (with respect to the gene or trait).

I hope this is clear to you. You would find more information on the 
subject at http://www.thamnophis.com/genetics/glossary4.htm.

Please feel free if you have any more enquiry.

Man Mohan
manmohanaaa@hotmail.com