hexaploid: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Technical/Scientific
Quick answer
What does “hexaploid” mean?
An organism or cell having six complete sets of chromosomes, which is twice the triploid number.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An organism or cell having six complete sets of chromosomes, which is twice the triploid number.
In a broader biological and agricultural context, refers to the genetic condition or state of possessing six homologous copies of each chromosome, often resulting from hybridization or genome duplication events, and can imply increased genetic material, potential for vigor, or sterility issues.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. Spelling is consistent.
Connotations
Neutral technical term in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally rare and specialized in both British and American English, confined to relevant scientific literature and discourse.
Grammar
How to Use “hexaploid” in a Sentence
[BE] hexaploid[BE] a hexaploid[V] into a hexaploidthe hexaploid [N]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “hexaploid” in a Sentence
noun
British English
- Common bread wheat, Triticum aestivum, is a fertile hexaploid.
- The hybrid was an unstable hexaploid that failed to propagate.
- Researchers are studying the genome of this ancient hexaploid.
American English
- The cultigen is a robust hexaploid derived from two wild ancestors.
- Seed sterility is often a challenge in newly synthesized hexaploids.
- Their analysis confirmed the specimen was a hexaploid.
adjective
British English
- They cultivated a hexaploid wheat variety for the trial.
- The hexaploid state confers certain agronomic advantages.
- A hexaploid cell was observed under the microscope.
American English
- Hexaploid oat species are important forage crops.
- The team induced a hexaploid condition in the tissue culture.
- This created a hexaploid hybrid with increased biomass.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used. Potential in highly specialized agribusiness or biotech discussing crop genetics.
Academic
Core term in genetics, plant biology, and evolutionary studies. Common in research papers and textbooks.
Everyday
Extremely unlikely to be encountered or used.
Technical
The primary domain of use. Precision is critical.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “hexaploid”
- Misspelling as 'hexapoid' (missing 'l').
- Mispronouncing the 'ploid' syllable as /plɔɪd/ instead of /plɔɪd/.
- Using it to describe any polyploid instead of specifically the six-set condition.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. 'Polyploid' is a general term for any organism with more than two complete sets of chromosomes. 'Hexaploid' is a specific type of polyploidy, meaning exactly six sets (6x).
It is extremely rare in animals compared to plants. Polyploidy, including hexaploidy, is common and a major evolutionary driver in plants, but it is usually lethal or causes severe developmental issues in most animal groups. Some fish, amphibians, and invertebrates are exceptions.
Common or bread wheat (Triticum aestivum) is the classic example of a hexaploid crop plant that is vital to global agriculture.
It is often denoted as '6x' or '2n=6x', where 'x' is the base chromosome number (monoploid number) and 'n' refers to the gametic number. For example, if the base number x=7, a hexaploid would have 2n=42 chromosomes.
An organism or cell having six complete sets of chromosomes, which is twice the triploid number.
Hexaploid is usually technical/scientific in register.
Hexaploid: in British English it is pronounced /ˈhɛksəplɔɪd/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈhɛksəˌplɔɪd/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'HEXA' (six, as in hexagon) + 'PLOID' (relating to chromosome sets). A hexaploid has six sets.
Conceptual Metaphor
GENETIC CONTENT IS A NUMERICAL MULTIPLE (e.g., double, triple, six-fold).
Practice
Quiz
What does 'hexaploid' specifically indicate about an organism's chromosomes?