What Does Heterozygous Mean? Understanding Bb vs. BB in Genetics

Learn the difference between heterozygous (Bb) and homozygous (BB) alleles and what these mean for genetic traits.

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Heterozygous refers to having two different alleles for a single trait. The notation Bb is an example of heterozygosity, wherein B represents a dominant allele, and b represents a recessive allele. The notation BB would not be considered heterozygous; it is homozygous dominant, indicating that both alleles are the same and dominant.

FAQs & Answers

  1. What is the difference between heterozygous and homozygous? Heterozygous means having two different alleles for a trait (e.g., Bb), while homozygous means having two identical alleles, either dominant (BB) or recessive (bb).
  2. What do the letters Bb and BB represent in genetics? Bb represents a heterozygous genotype with one dominant (B) and one recessive (b) allele; BB indicates homozygous dominant with two dominant alleles.
  3. Is BB considered heterozygous? No, BB is homozygous dominant because both alleles are the same dominant form; heterozygous requires two different alleles like Bb.

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