homozygous

[hoh-muh-zahy-guh s, hom-uh-]

adjective Biology.

having identical pairs of genes for any given pair of hereditary characteristics.

of or relating to a homozygote.

Also ho·mo·zy·got·ic

[hoh-moh-zahy-got-ik, hom-oh-] /ˌhoʊ moʊ zaɪˈgɒt ɪk, ˌhɒm oʊ-/.

Origin of homozygous

1900–05; homo- + Greek -zygos; see zygo-, -ous

Related formsho·mo·zy·gos·i·ty

[hoh-moh-zahy-gos-i-tee, -zi-, hom-oh-] /ˌhoʊ moʊ zaɪˈgɒs ɪ ti, -zɪ-, ˌhɒm oʊ-/, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

British Dictionary definitions for homozygous

homozygous

adjective

genetics (of an organism) having identical alleles for any one genethese two fruit flies are homozygous for red eye colour Compare heterozygous

Derived Formshomozygously, adverb

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for homozygous

adj.

1902, from homo- (1) "same" + zygote + -ous. Related: homozygote.

homozygous in Medicine

homozygous

[hō′mō-zī′gəs, -mə-, hŏm′ə-]

adj.

Having the same alleles at one or more gene loci on homologous chromosome segments.

homozygous in Science

homozygous

[hō′mō-zī′gəs]

Relating to a cell that has two identical alleles for a particular trait at corresponding positions on homologous chromosomes. Compare heterozygous.