homozygosis: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low (Rare, Technical)Specialized, Academic (Genetics, Biology)
Quick answer
What does “homozygosis” mean?
The state or condition of a cell or organism having two identical alleles of a particular gene or genes.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The state or condition of a cell or organism having two identical alleles of a particular gene or genes.
In genetics, the process or outcome of becoming homozygous for a specific gene locus, often through inbreeding or selective breeding, resulting in identical gene copies inherited from both parents.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Both use the term primarily in academic and scientific contexts.
Connotations
Purely technical, with no cultural connotations in either variant.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both. 'Homozygosity' is the far more prevalent term. Usage is restricted to specialized genetic literature in both regions.
Grammar
How to Use “homozygosis” in a Sentence
homozygosis for (a gene/allele)homozygosis resulting from (inbreeding)achieve/induce homozygosisVocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used exclusively in genetics, biology, and agriculture research papers and textbooks.
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
Core term in technical genetics, particularly in discussions of inbreeding, population genetics, and Mendelian inheritance.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “homozygosis”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “homozygosis”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “homozygosis”
- Misspelling as 'homosygosis' or 'homozygosis'.
- Using it in non-genetic contexts.
- Confusing it with 'homozygosity' (they are nearly synonymous, but 'homozygosis' is rarer and can imply the process).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
They are largely synonymous, both referring to the state of being homozygous. 'Homozygosity' is the far more common term. 'Homozygosis' is rarer and can sometimes specifically imply the process or event of becoming homozygous.
No. It is a highly specialized term restricted to academic and professional contexts in genetics, biology, and related fields like agriculture.
If both parents pass on the gene for blue eyes, the child is in a state of homozygosis for the blue-eye allele at that gene locus.
The opposite is 'heterozygosis' or 'heterozygosity', which is the state of having two different alleles for a particular gene.
Homozygosis is usually specialized, academic (genetics, biology) in register.
Homozygosis: in British English it is pronounced /ˌhɒmə(ʊ)zʌɪˈɡəʊsɪs/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌhoʊmoʊzaɪˈɡoʊsɪs/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think 'HOMO' (same) + 'ZYG' (from zygote, relating to genes) + 'OSIS' (condition). It's the condition of having the SAME genes (alleles) at a specific spot from both parents.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary field of use for the term 'homozygosis'?