How Do You Spell HETEROZYGOUS?

Pronunciation: [hˌɛtɹə͡ʊzˈɪɡəs] (IPA)

Heterozygous is a term frequently used in biology to describe an organism possessing two different alleles for a particular gene. The IPA phonetic transcription for heterozygous would be hɛtəroʊˈzaɪɡəs. The word comprises two base words, ‘hetero-’ meaning ‘different’ and ‘zygous’ which means ‘paired.’ The word is pronounced with the stress on the second syllable, and with American English, the ‘s’ is pronounced as a ‘z’ sound. This word’s spelling is quite straightforward, and it is easy to pronounce correctly after learning how its parts are pronounced.

Meaning and Definition
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Etymology
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HETEROZYGOUS Meaning and Definition

  1. Heterozygous is an adjective used to describe a genetic condition or organism that possesses two different forms of a particular gene, known as alleles, within a specific gene pair. These alleles are located on corresponding chromosomes within a cell nucleus. Heterozygosity differs from homozygosity, where an individual possesses two identical alleles for a given gene.

    In the context of sexual reproduction, heterozygosity often occurs when an individual inherits one dominant allele and one recessive allele for a specific genetic trait. The dominant allele typically determines the physical manifestation or characteristic expressed, while the recessive allele remains hidden or unnoticed.

    Heterozygosity allows for genetic variation as it combines different allele combinations during reproduction, contributing to the overall genetic diversity within a population. This diversity can be beneficial for species to adapt to changing environmental conditions and improve their chances of survival.

    In scientific investigations or genetic analyses, the term heterozygous is commonly used to describe an individual or an organism that possesses dissimilar alleles for a particular gene. This condition often leads to unique phenotypic traits or variations, making heterozygosity an important factor in both human genetics and the wider study of different species.

  2. Relating to heterozygosis; produced by unlike gametes; hybrid.

    A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.

Common Misspellings for HETEROZYGOUS

Etymology of HETEROZYGOUS

The word "heterozygous" is derived from two Greek roots: "hetero" meaning "different" or "other", and "zygote" meaning "a cell formed by the union of two gametes". In genetics, the term "heterozygous" refers to an organism that has two different alleles of a particular gene, one inherited from each parent.

Similar spelling words for HETEROZYGOUS

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