testcross

8.8

A cross between an individual with unknown genes and a recessive individual to find the unknown genes from offspring

noun
/ˈtɛstkrɔs/

Specialized

: cruzamiento de prueba

To determine if the pea plant was heterozygous or homozygous for the trait, the scientist performed a testcross.

Examples

After analyzing the offspring from the testcross, the researcher concluded that the parent was heterozygous.
A testcross can help reveal the genotype of an organism exhibiting a dominant phenotype.
A testcross can reveal the genotype of a plant.
The results of the testcross were surprising.
A testcross can help reveal the genotype of an organism exhibiting a dominant phenotype.
To determine if the pea plant was heterozygous or homozygous for the trait, the scientist performed a testcross.
After analyzing the offspring from the testcross, the researcher concluded that the parent was heterozygous.

Synonyms

test-cross

vstestcross

Specialized

8.9

A breeding test that finds hidden genes by crossing with a plant or animal showing the recessive trait

is the same but written without a hyphen in modern usage

Surface Forms

testcross singular

testcrosses plural

Morphology

testcross = test + cross (semi-transparent) = test + cross

The compound literally means 'a cross used as a test', which is compositional, but the specific biological sense of 'cross' (breeding) is technical and may not be known to average learners.

Etymology

Testcross comes from joining test ('to check') and cross ('to mate' or 'join two plants or animals'). So a testcross is a 'check by crossing', a mating with a known partner to show a hidden gene, and that's why the word means this kind of genetic test today.