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Glite Dictionary
hemizygous

hemizygous

9.9
Having only one copy of a gene instead of the usual two
  • adjective
  • /ˌhɛmɪˈzaɪɡəs/
  • Specialized
translation icon : hemizigoto
  • In many species, male individuals are hemizygous for genes located on the X chromosome, having only one copy.

Examples

  • Genes present on the X or Y chromosome are described as hemizygous because organisms typically have just one of each.

  • Furthermore, hemizygous deletions embracing CDKN1B have been identified in 7 out of 50 patients, pointing to CDKN1B alterations as driver mutations in SI-NET 154-156.

    Academic text (2017)

  • In genetic studies, it was found that males are hemizygous for the X chromosome, indicating the presence of only one gene copy.

Compounds

hemizygous vein
  • Specialized
9.6

A blood vessel running up the left side of the spine to join a large chest vein

Surface Forms

hemizygous positive

Morphology

hemizygous = zygous (semi-transparent) = hemi + zyg + ous

The prefix 'hemi-' ('half') transparently attaches to 'zygous', but 'zygous' is a technical combining form unfamiliar to average learners.

Etymology

Hemizygous comes from hemi- meaning 'half' and -zygous from a root meaning 'joined' or 'paired', as in zygote where two cells join. So, a hemizygous cell or person has only 'half' the usual pair of a gene — just one copy.