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

Example Sentences

In dominant disorders, like Huntington’s, a child needs to inherit only one mutated gene to develop the disease, so one homozygous parent, also a rarity, inevitably would pass on the disease to all embryos.

From Science Magazine

With help from a Moscow hearing clinic, this summer Rebrikov identified five couples who are homozygous for 35delG and certain to have a deaf child.

From Science Magazine

To their surprise, in August, they learned they are both also 35delG homozygous, indicating their daughter had inherited the mutations, rather than having new ones.

From Science Magazine

He later found that CCR5Δ32 homozygous humans who get infected with that virus are more susceptible to severe encephalitis and even death than other people.

From Science Magazine

If follow-up trials in monkeys work as well, the scientists will launch a trial in patients with homozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia, or HoFH.

From The Guardian