heterozygote
UK[ˌhɛtərəʊˈzaɪɡəʊt]US[ˌhɛtəroʊˈzaɪɡoʊt]
n
a cell or organism that has two different alleles of a particular gene, one from each parent.
Morpheme Breakdown
hetero
zygote
hetero
different
zygote
fertilized egg
Etymology
the term heterozygote is a modern scientific compound, constructed directly from ancient greek elements to describe a precise genetic condition. the prefix 'hetero-' carries its classical meaning of "other" or "different," contrasting with 'homo-' meaning "same." the base 'zygote' originates from the greek word for "yoke," a fitting metaphor for the joining of two parental gametes. thus, the word's literal logic is "a joined cell (or organism) from different sources," elegantly capturing the biological reality of inheriting two different forms of a gene.
Analysis
Structure: hetero (different) + zygote (fertilized egg)
- hetero: from greek 'heteros', meaning "other, different". functions as a combining form indicating difference or otherness.
- zygote: from greek 'zygōtos', meaning "yoked, joined", from 'zygon' meaning "yoke". functions as the base noun referring to the cell formed by the union of two gametes.
Examples
an individual who carries one copy of the recessive allele for a disorder is known as a heterozygote.
in a simple mendelian cross, a heterozygote will display the dominant phenotype.
genetic screening can identify heterozygotes for certain hereditary conditions.