heterozygote
heterozygote
Pronunciation
/ˌhɛt.ə.roʊˈzaɪ.ɡoʊt/
Syllable Breakdown:
het /ˌhɛt/ - Consists of a voiceless glottal fricative followed by a short e vowel, and a voiceless alveolar plosive.
e /ə/ - Represents a schwa sound.
ro /roʊ/ - Contains a voiced alveolar trill followed by an o vowel.
zy /zaɪ/ - Consists of a voiced alveolar fricative, a long i vowel.
gote /ɡoʊt/ - Contains a voiced velar plosive, a long o vowel, and a voiceless alveolar plosive.
Word Form Variations
Singular Noun: heterozygote
Plural Noun: heterozygotes
Adjective: heterozygous
Adverb: heterozygously
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun: Heterozygote
Definition 1 (Biology): An organism that has inherited two different alleles for a particular gene from each parent, one dominant and one recessive. This is in contrast to a homozygote, which has two identical alleles.
Synonyms: hybrid, carrier (in some contexts)
Antonyms: homozygote, purebred
Definition 2 (Genetics): A cell or individual organism having two different alleles for a specific gene. This condition results in the expression of the dominant allele while the recessive allele is carried without being expressed in the phenotype.
Synonyms: hybrid, mixed-genotype
Antonyms: homozygote, pure-genotype
Adjective: Heterozygous
Definition: Having two different alleles for a specific gene. This adjective describes the genetic condition of a heterozygote.
Synonyms: hybrid, mixed-bred
Antonyms: homozygous, purebred, true-breeding
Examples of Use
Noun: Heterozygote
Scientific Research: A paper published in the journal eLife discussed how "heterozygote advantage" could be a more significant factor in maintaining the genetic diversity of immune genes than previously thought. The article cites the classic example of sickle cell anemia, where a heterozygote individual (a carrier) has a higher resistance to malaria. (eLife, November 2024)
Genetics Textbooks: In introductory genetics courses, the term is frequently used to explain Mendelian inheritance. A student might read, "A cross between a homozygous dominant parent and a homozygous recessive parent will produce a generation of heterozygotes, all of whom will express the dominant phenotype."
Medical and Health Information: Health publications often use the term to explain carrier status for genetic diseases. A publication might state, "An individual who is a heterozygote for the cystic fibrosis gene is typically a healthy carrier and does not develop the disease but can pass the gene on to their children."
Animal Breeding and Agriculture: Farmers and animal breeders may use the term when discussing the genetics of livestock. For example, a breeder might be concerned about "recessive traits that could be carried by a heterozygote" and thus choose not to use that animal for breeding.
Adjective: Heterozygous
Online Health Publications: An article on a health website might explain that "being heterozygous for a specific gene can sometimes provide a protective effect against certain diseases." It may then give the example of an individual who is heterozygous for the sickle cell allele, who is resistant to malaria. (Healthline, January 2020)
News Media (Science Reporting): A newspaper article reporting on a new scientific discovery might state, "The new study suggests that being heterozygous for this particular gene mutation may lead to a higher risk of developing the condition later in life."
Scientific Journal Articles: A study published in a scientific journal might discuss a particular genetic trait in sheep, noting that the "heterozygous animals had an increased ovulation rate and litter size compared to their wildtype counterparts." (PLOS One, January 2007)
Public Discourse/Forums: In online forums or discussions about genetics, people might ask questions like, "If I'm heterozygous for blue eyes, does that mean I carry the gene but have brown eyes?" or "My doctor said I'm a heterozygous carrier for a rare genetic condition. What does that mean for my family?"
10 Famous Quotes Using Heterozygote
"The heterozygote for this specific gene, while not expressing the disease, can still pass the recessive allele to future generations." (Original)
"In some cases, the heterozygote possesses a fitness advantage over both homozygous genotypes." (Original)
"The study of the heterozygote is crucial for understanding the persistence of certain genetic disorders within a population." (Original)
"An individual who is a heterozygote for sickle cell trait demonstrates a significant resistance to malaria." (Original)
"The concept of a heterozygote is foundational to Mendelian genetics and the laws of inheritance." (Original)
"In population genetics, the frequency of a heterozygote is a key indicator of genetic variation." (Original)
"She explained that the heterozygote can carry a recessive gene without exhibiting its phenotypic effects." (Original)
"A heterozygote for a recessive allele is also known as a carrier." (Original)
"When mapping a genome, scientists often look for the presence of a heterozygote at a particular locus." (Original)
"The heterozygote in this experiment showed a blend of the two parental traits, a classic example of incomplete dominance." (Original)
Etymology
The word "heterozygote" is a fascinating blend of Greek and English, and its meaning is built directly from its parts.
Let's break it down:
Hetero-: This comes from the Ancient Greek word héteros, which means "other" or "different."
Zygo-: This comes from the Ancient Greek word zygōtós, meaning "yoked" or "joined together," from the root zygon ("yoke"). Think of two things being yoked together like oxen.
-ote: This is a noun-forming suffix used in biology to refer to an organism or a cell.
So, put together, "heterozygote" literally means "something joined from different parts." This perfectly describes the organism or cell that has inherited two different versions of a gene from its parents, like a pair of genes yoked together.
The term was first used in the early 20th century, a time when scientists were rapidly advancing their understanding of genetics. The first known use of "heterozygote" and its related adjective "heterozygous" is credited to the British geneticist William Bateson in 1902. He introduced the term to precisely describe the genetic makeup of an individual with different alleles for a specific gene, building on the foundational work of Gregor Mendel. Its meaning has remained consistent since its inception: a biological organism or cell with two different alleles for a particular gene.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Heterozygote
To be a heterozygote for a recessive gene.
The heterozygote advantage.
A heterozygote carrier.
A classic heterozygote cross.
A carrier's burden is a heterozygote's lot.
A heterozygote’s riddle, passed unseen.
Like a hidden heterozygote, the truth is there but not expressed.
The heterozygote's secret.
A heterozygote by any other name is still a hybrid.
The heterozygote's wild card.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of heterozygote from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
