When the alleles of a gene pair are identical, how are they classified?

When the alleles of a gene pair are identical, they are classified as homozygous. This classification indicates that an individual has two of the same alleles for a particular gene, which can either be two dominant or two recessive alleles. For example, a plant with two alleles for purple flowers (both dominant) or two alleles for white flowers (both recessive) is considered homozygous for flower color.

In contrast, when an individual has two different alleles for a gene, the classification is heterozygous. Dominant and recessive refer to the relationship between alleles, where dominant alleles can mask the presence of recessive ones, but they do not specifically denote the identity of the alleles themselves. Therefore, recognizing homozygosity points to the genetic makeup concerning alleles, underscoring the significance of allele identity in inheritance patterns.