What characterizes a homozygous genotype?

A homozygous genotype is characterized by having two identical alleles for a specific trait. This means that both alleles inherited from each parent are the same, whether they are both dominant or both recessive. For example, if a plant has two alleles for flower color that are both red, it is said to be homozygous for the red flower trait.

In contrast, when an organism has one dominant allele and one recessive allele for a trait, it is referred to as being heterozygous. Additionally, the presence of both dominant and recessive traits does not accurately define homozygosity, as it reflects genetic variation rather than identity. Finally, stating that there are no traits determined does not align with the concept of a genotype, as a genotype is a direct reflection of an organism's genetic makeup related to specific traits. Thus, the defining feature of homozygosity is the presence of two identical alleles.