homozygosity

1 9.9

The state of having two identical copies of a gene, one from each parent

noun
/ˌhoʊməˈzaɪɡənəsi/

Specialized

: homocigosis

Individual inbreeding and historical demography can be estimated by analyzing runs of homozygosity (ROH), which are indicative of chromosomal segments of identity by descent (IBD).

Examples

In many species, homozygosity is crucial for maintaining uniformity in traits across generations.
Ultimately, the N estimate is determined by comparing the observed data to the simulated data for a series of statistics relating genetic variation to N e, including expected heterozygosity, number of alleles per locus, mean and variance of multilocus homozygosity, and others.

Academic text (2009)
The condition of homozygosity occurs when an individual carries two identical alleles for a specific gene.
Higher levels of homozygosity can decrease the genetic variation within a population, affecting its adaptability.

Antonyms

heterozygosity

Specialized

1 9.9

An organism has two different forms of a gene at the same place

How Similar

homozygosity

Specialized

1 9.9

zygosity

Specialized

1 9.9

heterozygosity

Specialized

1 9.9

Surface Forms

homozygosity singular

homozygosities plural

Morphology

homozygosity = homozygous (semi-transparent) = homo + zygo + ous + ity

Forming the abstract noun with -ity from the adjective 'homozygous' is a regular and predictable derivation.

Etymology

Homozygosity comes from homo- meaning 'same', the Greek root zygos meaning 'yoke' or a tool that joins two things, and the ending -ity meaning 'state'. So it is like the 'state of being joined the same', which helps explain why homozygosity means having two identical copies of a gene.