What term is used to describe having two identical alleles for a trait?

The term used to describe having two identical alleles for a trait is "homozygous." This refers to the genetic state where an individual possesses two copies of the same allele (it can be either dominant or recessive) for a specific gene. For example, if an individual has two dominant alleles (AA) or two recessive alleles (aa) for a particular trait, they are considered homozygous for that trait.

Understanding homozygosity is crucial in genetics as it plays a significant role in determining phenotypes and how traits are expressed in offspring. In contrast, heterozygous refers to having two different alleles for a trait, while a monohybrid is a type of genetic cross that involves one trait. Genotypic describes the genetic makeup of an individual but does not specifically denote whether the alleles are identical or different.