What term describes having two different alleles at the same gene locus?

What term describes having two different alleles at the same gene locus?

• A. Locus
• B. Autosomes
• C. Heterozygous
• D. Homozygous

Answer: (C)

Having two different alleles at the same gene locus is heterozygous. The locus is the specific location on a chromosome where a gene sits, and alleles are the different versions of that gene. When you inherit two distinct versions, your genotype at that spot is heterozygous—for example, one allele for brown eyes and one for blue eyes. This contrasts with homozygous, where both copies are the same (like AA or aa). Locus is just the location, and autosomes are the non-sex chromosomes—neither alone defines having two different alleles.

Having two different alleles at the same gene locus is heterozygous. The locus is the specific location on a chromosome where a gene sits, and alleles are the different versions of that gene. When you inherit two distinct versions, your genotype at that spot is heterozygous—for example, one allele for brown eyes and one for blue eyes. This contrasts with homozygous, where both copies are the same (like AA or aa). Locus is just the location, and autosomes are the non-sex chromosomes—neither alone defines having two different alleles.