Final answer:
A heterozygote is an organism with two different alleles for a specific gene, expressing the dominant trait while potentially carrying a recessive trait.
Step-by-step explanation:
A heterozygote is a diploid organism that carries two different alleles for a specific gene on the homologous chromosomes. This genetic makeup allows the heterozygote to carry a combination of both dominant and recessive genetic traits, contributing to traits observed in the organism's phenotype.
For instance, if we consider the gene for pea plant flower color, suppose 'P' represents purple (dominant) and 'p' represents white (recessive), then the heterozygote's genotype would be 'Pp'. Despite having one recessive allele, the heterozygote expresses the dominant phenotype. Moreover, these heterozygous individuals can act as carriers for the recessive allele, particularly important in the context of genetic disorders in human populations.
A heterozygote is a diploid individual that carries two different alleles of a gene. Different alleles for a given gene in a diploid organism interact to express physical characteristics, and the observable traits are referred to as the phenotype. The organism's underlying genetic makeup is called the genotype, and when diploid organisms carry different alleles, they are heterozygous.