polyploid: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low (specialised term in biology/genetics)Technical/scientific
Quick answer
What does “polyploid” mean?
An organism or cell having more than two complete sets of chromosomes.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An organism or cell having more than two complete sets of chromosomes.
Used to describe genetic conditions, plant breeding techniques, and evolutionary mechanisms where multiple chromosome sets are present, often leading to traits like increased size or hardiness.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning, spelling, or usage.
Connotations
Identically neutral and technical in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally low in general discourse, but standard in biological sciences in both the UK and US.
Grammar
How to Use “polyploid” in a Sentence
As an adjective: polyploid + noun (e.g., polyploid wheat)As a predicative adjective: be/become + polyploid (e.g., The cell is polyploid.)As a noun: determiner + polyploid (e.g., a polyploid)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “polyploid” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The botanist studied the polyploid blackberry cultivars found in the wild.
- This fern is tetraploid, a specific type of polyploid.
American English
- Farmers often grow polyploid watermelons because they are seedless and larger.
- The lab induced a polyploid state in the tissue culture.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used, except potentially in highly specialised agricultural biotech contexts.
Academic
Common in genetics, botany, evolutionary biology, and agriculture research papers and textbooks.
Everyday
Extremely rare; would only be encountered in popular science articles or documentaries.
Technical
The primary register; standard terminology in laboratory reports, scientific discussions, and technical manuals related to genetics and breeding.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “polyploid”
- Misspelling as 'polyployd' or 'polyploied'.
- Using it to mean simply 'having extra chromosomes' rather than complete extra *sets*.
- Incorrect stress placement in speech (stress is on the first syllable).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not necessarily. Polyploidy can occur naturally or be induced through traditional breeding techniques (e.g., using chemicals like colchicine), not solely through modern genetic engineering.
Yes, but it is much rarer and often lethal in animals. Some fish, amphibians, and reptiles include polyploid species, while it is extremely rare in mammals.
An autopolyploid has multiple chromosome sets from the same species, while an allopolyploid has sets from two or more different species, usually following hybridisation.
Polyploid plants often exhibit 'gigas' characteristics like larger leaves, flowers, fruits, and seeds, and can have increased vigour and stress tolerance, making them valuable crops.
An organism or cell having more than two complete sets of chromosomes.
Polyploid is usually technical/scientific in register.
Polyploid: in British English it is pronounced /ˈpɒl.i.plɔɪd/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈpɑː.li.plɔɪd/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'POLY' (many) + 'PLOID' (like 'chromosomes folded' many times). A polyploid plant has many sets of the 'instruction books' (chromosomes).
Conceptual Metaphor
CHROMOSOMES ARE BOOKS OF INSTRUCTIONS; a polyploid organism has multiple, complete copies of the same instruction set.
Practice
Quiz
What is the key characteristic of a polyploid cell?