heteroploid

9.9

A living thing or cell with a number of chromosomes that is not a whole multiple of the usual set

noun
/ˌhɛtərəˈploɪd/

Specialized

: heteroploide

Some cancer cells are classified as heteroploid due to their abnormal chromosome numbers.

Examples

Researchers studied the growth patterns of heteroploid strains in the laboratory.
Many plants are considered heteroploids due to their complex chromosome structures.
A heteroploid can result from irregular cell division during reproduction.
A heteroploid organism can exhibit unique genetic traits.
Some cancer cells are classified as heteroploid due to their abnormal chromosome numbers.
Researchers studied the growth patterns of heteroploid strains in the laboratory.
A heteroploid organism can exhibit unique genetic traits.

Surface Forms

heteroploid singular

heteroploids plural

Morphology

heteroploid = ploidy (opaque) = hetero + ploid

Although 'hetero-' (different) is recognizable, the combining form 'ploid' and the technical concept of chromosome sets are specialist knowledge, so a B1 learner cannot reliably derive the meaning.

Etymology

The word heteroploid is made from hetero- meaning 'different' and -ploid seen in haploid and diploid, which talk about sets of chromosomes. So a heteroploid is an organism or cell whose chromosome number is 'different' from the usual multiples for its species.