Hemizygous

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Hemizygous

Hemizygous (pronunciation: /ˌhɛmɪˈzaɪɡəs/) is a term used in genetics to describe a situation where an individual has only one copy of a particular gene instead of the usual two.

Etymology

The term "hemizygous" is derived from the Greek words "hemi" meaning half, and "zygous" which refers to a zygote or a fertilized egg. Thus, "hemizygous" essentially means "half a pair".

Definition

In genetics, an individual is said to be hemizygous when they have only one copy of a gene instead of the usual two. This can occur in several situations, such as when a gene is found on a sex chromosome and the individual only has one of that chromosome, or when a gene has been deleted from one of the chromosomes.

Related Terms

  • Homozygous: An individual is homozygous for a gene when they have two identical copies of that gene, one on each chromosome of a pair.
  • Heterozygous: An individual is heterozygous for a gene when they have two different copies of that gene, one on each chromosome of a pair.
  • Allele: An allele is a variant form of a gene. Individuals can be hemizygous, homozygous, or heterozygous for an allele.
  • Genotype: The genotype of an individual is the specific combination of alleles they have for a particular gene.
  • Phenotype: The phenotype of an individual is the observable trait or characteristic that results from their genotype.

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