polyploid

American  

[pol-ee-ploid] / ˈpɒl iˌplɔɪd /

adjective

1. having a chromosome number that is more than double the basic or haploid number.

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noun

1. a polyploid cell or organism.

polyploid British  

/ ˈpɒlɪˌplɔɪd /

adjective

1. (of cells, organisms, etc) having more than twice the basic (haploid) number of chromosomes

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noun

1. an individual or cell of this type

polyploid Scientific  

/ pŏl′ē-ploid′ /

1. Having more than two complete sets of chromosomes. Many plants that are polyploid, such as dandelions, are sterile but can reproduce by apomixis or other asexual means. Other polyploid plants are fertile. For example, durum wheat (Triticum turgidum durum), which is used to make pasta, is tetraploid (it has four sets of chromosomes), while bread wheat (Triticum aestivum) is hexaploid (six sets of chromosomes). Polyploid plants, if viable, are often larger or more productive than diploid plants, and plant breeders often deliberately produce such plants by crossing species or other means. In the animal kingdom, polyploidy is abnormal and often fatal.

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Other Word Forms

• polyploidal adjective
• polyploidic adjective
• polyploidy noun

Etymology

Origin of polyploid

First recorded in 1915–20; poly- + -ploid

Example Sentences

The ETH researchers have observed that in newly formed polyploid plants, the pollen tube does not grow straight, nor is it sufficiently long.

From Science Daily • Apr. 16, 2024

PlantServation also enabled the scientists to experimentally replicate what happens after the natural speciation of a hybrid polyploid species.

From Science Daily • Sep. 22, 2023

At the May meeting, University of Florence cell biologist Letizia De Chiara reported that she and Florence nephrologist Paola Romagnani observed new, big polyploid cells quickly engulfing injured areas, restoring kidney function in the mice.

From Science Magazine • Aug. 23, 2023

What is certain is the polyploid cells, far from being abnormal, are one of life’s major mechanisms for coping with the stresses of injury, disease, and a hostile environment.

From Science Magazine • Aug. 23, 2023

Yesterday Mr. Bolten asked the question whether or not some walnuts that have large nuts could possibly be tetraploid or polyploid.

From Northern Nut Growers Association Report of the Proceedings at the 43rd Annual Meeting Rockport, Indiana, August 25, 26 and 27, 1952 by Northern Nut Growers Association