heterozygous

het·er·o·zy·gous

(het'ĕr-ō-zī'gŭs),

Having different alleles at a given locus on the pair of chromosomes present in the diploid state; for example, having a normal beta globin gene (coding for normal hemoglobin, Hb A) at locus p15.5 on one chromosome 11 and an abnormal gene (coding for sickle-cell hemoglobin, Hb S) at the same locus on the other chromosome 11.

heterozygous

(hĕt′ər-ə-zī′gəs)

adj.

1. Having different alleles at one or more corresponding chromosomal loci.

2. Of or relating to a heterozygote.

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het′er·o·zy·gos′i·ty (-ə-rō-zī-gŏs′ĭ-tē) n.

heterozygous

[het′ərəzī′gəs]

Etymology: Gk, heteros + zygotos, yoked

having two different alleles at corresponding loci on homologous chromosomes. An individual who is heterozygous for a trait has inherited an allele for that trait from one parent and an alternative allele from the other parent. An individual who is heterozygous for a genetic disease caused by a dominant allele, such as Huntington's disease, manifests the disorder. A person who is heterozygous for a hereditary disorder produced by a recessive allele, such as sickle cell anemia, is asymptomatic or exhibits reduced symptoms of the disease. The offspring of a heterozygous carrier of a genetic disorder have a 50% chance of inheriting the allele associated with the disorder if the other parent does not carry the allele. Compare homozygous.

het·er·o·zy·gous

(het'ĕr-ō-zī'gŭs)

Having different allelic genes at one locus or (by extension) many loci; heterotic.

heterozygous

Of a person carrying different genes at the same gene locus in corresponding chromosomes. The ALLELES are different. A single DOMINANT gene can manifest itself in a heterozygous person. Recessive genes are only manifest if both are present (HOMOZYGOUS).

Heterozygous

Two different genes controlling a specified inherited trait.

Mentioned in: Hemoglobin Electrophoresis

heterozygous

expression of inheritance of genetic disease, where the individual inherits the causative gene from only one parent, i.e. overt disease is not expressed or is expressed in mild form only in heterozygous indidivuals; see homozygous

het·er·o·zy·gous

(het'ĕr-ō-zī'gŭs)

Having different alleles at a given locus on the pair of chromosomes present in the diploid state.

heterozygous (het´ərōzī´gus),

adj a term indicating that genes lying at equivalent loci on chromosome pairs are different.

heterozygous

having different alleles at the one locus.