tetraploid

[te-truh-ploid]

adjective

Biology.

1. having a chromosome number that is four times the basic or haploid number.

noun

1. a tetraploid cell or organism.

tetraploid

/ ˈtɛtrəˌplɔɪd /

adjective

1. having four times the haploid number of chromosomes in the nucleus

noun

1. a tetraploid organism, nucleus, or cell

Other Word Forms

• tetraploidy noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of tetraploid¹

First recorded in 1925–30; tetra- + -ploid

Example Sentences

However, sometimes the number of chromosome sets doubles from one generation to the next: one diploid organism suddenly becomes a tetraploid -- i.e. it has four sets of chromosomes.

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Tetraploid rock-cresses have managed to overcome the disadvantage of genome duplication and can establish themselves in independent populations.

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In earlier studies of such tetraploid sand rock-cress populations, the researchers identified genes associated with the plant's fertility for which novel variants had evolved in the tetraploids.

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What's more, in established tetraploid populations of sand rock-cress, the genes in question are often slightly different to the versions found in diploid individuals.

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"In other words, evolution has found a way to minimally vary the two genes in such a way that tetraploid individuals are fertile," Bomblies says.

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