heterozygous

adj. possessing different forms of a gene (i.e., different alleles) at a given genetic locus on each of a pair of homologous chromosomes. One allele is inherited from the mother and the other from the father. In such individuals, the dominant allele is expressed, and the recessive allele is not. Compare homozygous. —heterozygote n.

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Psychology term of the day

November 16th 2024

mitosis

n. (pl. mitoses) the type of division of a cell nucleus that produces two identical daughter nuclei, each possessing the same number and type of chromosomes as the parent nucleus. It is usually accompanied by division of the cytoplasm, leading to the formation of two identical daughter cells. Compare meiosis. —mitotic adj.