homozygote

[ hoh-muh-zahy-goht, -zig-oht, hom-uh- ]

noun

, Biology.

1. an organism with identical pairs of genes with respect to any given pair of hereditary characters, and therefore breeding true for that character.

homozygote

/ -zɪ-; -ˈzɪɡ-; ˌhəʊməʊˈzaɪɡəʊt; ˌhɒm-; ˌhəʊməʊzaɪˈɡɒtɪk; ˌhɒm- /

noun

1. an animal or plant that is homozygous and breeds true to type Compare heterozygote

Derived Forms

• homozygotic, adjective
• ˌhomozyˈgosis, noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of homozygote¹

First recorded in 1900–05; homo- + zygote

Example Sentences

For one thing, 35delG homozygotes sometimes only have mild hearing impairment.

From Science Magazine

Some mouse and human studies have also found that CCR5Δ32 homozygotes get more severe symptoms from influenza virus; however, other researchers dismiss this concern, pointing to conflicting epidemiologic analyses.

From Science Magazine

But the 1% who inherit the mutation from both parents—so-called homozygotes—are highly resistant: Studies show that if they’re exposed to HIV, they’re 100 times less likely to become infected.

From Science Magazine

Cultivated lines are homozygotes for the allele resulting in a biennial life cycle.

From Nature

For the 6 homozygotes with two copies of the allele, however, the highest dose of 300 mg was  insufficient to achieve satisfactory platelet inhibition.

From Forbes