Final answer:
A recessive trait will be observed in individuals that are homozygous recessive for that trait. The recessive phenotype only appears when two identical recessive alleles (aa) are present. Heterozygous individuals with one dominant allele will express the dominant trait instead.
Therefore the correct answer is option is b) Homozygous recessive
Step-by-step explanation:
A recessive trait will be observed in individuals that are homozygous recessive for that trait. This is because, in the genetic language presented by Mendel's theory, the recessive trait becomes phenotypically apparent solely when two identical recessive alleles are present in an individual. On the other hand, a heterozygous individual, who has one dominant and one recessive allele, will express the dominant trait, not the recessive one.
Individuals with two dominant alleles (AA) are termed homozygous dominant, and their phenotype will express the dominant trait. In cases of a dominant allele, the dominant trait appears in both homozygous dominant and heterozygous genotypes. However, a recessive allele will only result in a recessive phenotype if the individual is homozygous recessive (aa), meaning they have received one recessive allele from each parent.