What does autopolyploidy mean?
Autopolyploidy is a biological term describing the condition in which a cell or organism possesses more than two complete sets of chromosomes, with every set derived from the same species. It arises most often when errors in cell division cause the entire genome to duplicate without subsequent division, instantly transforming a diploid organism into a polyploid one. The phenomenon is especially widespread among plants — including crops such as potato and alfalfa — where polyploid individuals may display larger cells, greater vigor, or reduced fertility. Autopolyploidy is distinguished from allopolyploidy, which instead combines chromosome sets from different species through hybridization. Because it can generate reproductive isolation between polyploid offspring and their diploid parents in a single generation, autopolyploidy is considered an important mechanism of speciation, particularly in plants. The word belongs to formal scientific register and appears chiefly in genetics literature, textbooks, and discussions of plant evolution and breeding.
nounThe condition of having three or more complete sets of chromosomes all derived from the same species, typically through genome doubling within a single lineage.
- In genetics: the state of a cell or organism containing more than two complete sets of homologous chromosomes, all originating from a single ancestral species.
"Autopolyploidy is common in many flowering plants and can occur spontaneously through errors during cell division."
"Researchers induced autopolyploidy in the seedlings using colchicine to produce larger flowers."
"Autopolyploidy is thought to have played a significant role in the diversification of ferns and flowering plants."
Autopolyploidy is an uncountable mass noun and has no plural form; individual organisms are referred to as autopolyploids.
"Autopolyploidy occurs naturally in many species of grasses."
Autopolyploidy means a plant can double its entire genome in one generation — instantly creating a brand-new species without waiting millions of years for gradual evolution.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does autopolyploidy come from?
Autopolyploidy is formed from Greek roots within scientific Latin-style coinage of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries: 'auto-' meaning 'self', 'poly-' meaning 'many', and '-ploidy' ultimately deriving from Greek 'ploos' or 'pleon', meaning 'fold'. It was constructed alongside related terms such as polyploid, diploid, and haploid as cytogenetics developed in the early 1900s. Cognates sharing these roots include autonomous (from 'auto-') and polymer (from 'poly-').
Related word forms
How autopolyploidy is actually used
A technical term used almost exclusively in genetics, botany, and evolutionary biology; rarely encountered outside academic contexts. It is an uncountable noun referring to the condition itself.
Easily confused with autopolyploidy
Allopolyploidy involves chromosome sets from different species combined by hybridization, whereas autopolyploidy involves multiple sets from within the same species.