What is the definition of homozygous?

The term "homozygous" refers to a genetic state where an organism has two identical alleles for a particular gene. This means that both alleles are the same, whether they are dominant or recessive. For example, if an individual carries two copies of the allele for blue eye color, they are considered homozygous for that trait. This uniformity in alleles can lead to consistent expression of the corresponding trait, unlike heterozygous individuals, who carry different alleles for the same gene and may exhibit a mix of traits depending on the dominance relationship between those alleles. Thus, the correct answer reflects the definition of homozygosity accurately, highlighting the significance of having identical alleles at a gene locus.