homozygous

[hoh-muh-zahy-guh s, hom-uh-] /ˌhoʊ məˈzaɪ gəs, ˌhɒm ə-/

adjective, Biology

having identical pairs of genes for any given pair of hereditary characteristics.

of or pertaining to a homozygote.

Also, homozygotic

[hoh-moh-zahy-got-ik, hom-oh-] /ˌhoʊ moʊ zaɪˈgɒt ɪk, ˌhɒm oʊ-/ (Show IPA).

Origin

1900-05; homo- + Greek -zygos; see zygo-, -ous

Related forms

homozygosity

[hoh-moh-zahy-gos-i-tee, -zi-, hom-oh-] /ˌhoʊ moʊ zaɪˈgɒs ɪ ti, -zɪ-, ˌhɒm oʊ-/ (Show IPA), noun

British Dictionary definitions for homozygous

homozygous

/ˌhəʊməʊˈzaɪɡəs; -ˈzɪɡ-; ˌhɒm-/

adjective

(genetics) (of an organism) having identical alleles for any one gene: these two fruit flies are homozygous for red eye colour Compare heterozygous

Derived Forms

homozygously, adverb

Word Origin and History for homozygous

adj.

1902, from homo- (1) "same" + zygote + -ous. Related: homozygote.

homozygous in Medicine

homozygous ho·mo·zy·gous (hō'mō-zī'gəs, -mə-, hŏm'ə-)
adj.
Having the same alleles at a one or more gene loci on homologous chromosome segments.

homozygous in Science

homozygous

(hō'mō-zī'gəs)
Relating to a cell that has two identical alleles for a particular trait at corresponding positions on homologous chromosomes. Compare heterozygous.