heterogametic

[ het-uh-roh-guh-met-ik ]

adjective

, Genetics.

1. (of a species or individual organism) having two unlike gametes.

heterogametic

/ ˌhɛtərəʊɡəˈmɛtɪk /

adjective

1. genetics denoting the sex that possesses dissimilar sex chromosomes. In humans and many other mammals it is the male sex, possessing one X-chromosome and one Y-chromosome Compare homogametic

Word History and Origins

Origin of heterogametic¹

First recorded in 1905–10; hetero- + gametic ( def )

Example Sentences

Sex determination in X. laevis follows a female heterogametic ZZ/ZW system48.

From Nature

This is supported by data from female heterogametic organisms, including higher seen for a handful of Z-linked markers than for autosomal markers in flycatchers.

From Nature