noun
- an organism having two different alleles of a particular gene or genes
Usage: biology; genetics
Examples
- A heterozygote for eye color might have one allele for brown eyes and one for blue eyes.
- The offspring of two homozygotes will be heterozygotes.
- Heterozygotes often show the dominant trait in their phenotype.
- Genetic counselors can determine if parents are heterozygotes for certain disorders.
- In Mendel’s experiments, the F1 generation consisted entirely of heterozygotes.
- A heterozygote carries genetic diversity that can be passed to offspring.