heterozygous

views updated May 18 2018

heterozygous Describing an organism or cell in which the alleles at a given locus on homologous chromosomes are different. The aspect of the feature displayed by the organism will be that determined by the dominant allele. Heterozygous organisms, called heterozygotes, do not breed true. Compare homozygous.

A Dictionary of Biology

heterozygous

views updated May 29 2018

heterozygous (het-er-oh-zy-gŭs) adj. describing an individual in whom the members of a pair of genes determining a particular characteristic are dissimilar. See allele. Compare homozygous.
—heterozygote n.

A Dictionary of Nursing

heterozygous

views updated May 23 2018

heterozygous Applied to an organism or cell possessing different alleles at a particular gene locus.

A Dictionary of Ecology MICHAEL ALLABY

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heterozygous

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