What does the term 'heterozygous' signify?

The term 'heterozygous' signifies having two different alleles for a gene. This means that an individual has inherited two different forms of a particular gene from their parents—one from each parent. For example, if one allele specifies a trait such as flower color (like purple) and the other allele specifies a different trait (like white), the organism is considered heterozygous for that particular gene.

In genetics, alleles are different versions of a gene that can result in variations in the trait being expressed. Heterozygosity can contribute to genetic diversity and can influence traits in terms of dominance, where one allele may mask the expression of the other in cases where one is dominant over the other. This diversity in alleles is crucial for the process of evolution and adaptation in populations.