homozygous

[ hoh-muh-zahy-guhs, hom-uh- ]

adjective

, Biology.

1. having identical pairs of genes for any given pair of hereditary characteristics.
2. of or relating to a homozygote.

homozygous

/ -ˈzɪɡ-; ˌhɒm-; ˌhəʊməʊˈzaɪɡəs /

adjective

1. genetics (of an organism) having identical alleles for any one gene Compare heterozygous

   these two fruit flies are homozygous for red eye colour

homozygous

/ hō′mō-zī′gəs /

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

Derived Forms

• ˌhomoˈzygously, adverb

Other Words From

• ho·mo·zy·gos·i·ty [hoh-moh-zahy-, gos, -i-tee, -zi-, hom-oh-], noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of homozygous¹

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