Heterozygosity protects __________from elimination by natural selection

Options

A. recessive alleles
B. dominant alleles
C. multiple factors
D. genomes

Explanation

**Step-by-Step Solution:**

1. **Understanding Heterozygosity**:
- Heterozygosity refers to the presence of two different alleles for a particular gene in an individual. For example, in the case of the height gene in pea plants, a heterozygous individual would have one dominant allele (T) and one recessive allele (t).

2. **Comparison with Homozygosity**:
- In contrast, homozygosity means having two identical alleles for a gene, either both dominant (TT) or both recessive (tt). This distinction is crucial in understanding how traits are expressed.

3. **Expression of Alleles**:
- In a heterozygous individual, the dominant allele (T) is expressed in the phenotype, while the recessive allele (t) is masked. This means that the observable trait (e.g., height) reflects only the dominant allele.

4. **Natural Selection and Alleles**:
- Natural selection tends to eliminate alleles that do not confer a survival advantage. However, in a heterozygous condition, the recessive allele (t) is not expressed and thus may not be subject to the same selective pressures as it would be if it were homozygous.

5. **Conclusion**:
- Therefore, heterozygosity protects the recessive alleles from being eliminated by natural selection since they remain hidden in the phenotype of the organism.

**Final Answer**: Heterozygosity protects **recessive alleles** from elimination by natural selection.

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