What does hexaploidy mean?
Hexaploidy is the biological condition in which the cells of an organism contain six complete sets of homologous chromosomes rather than the usual two. It is a specific form of polyploidy, a larger category that includes cells with three or more chromosome sets. Hexaploidy may arise through chromosome doubling or other genetic changes and can affect fertility, plant development, evolution, and the fertility of hybrids. The related adjective hexaploid is used to describe organisms or cells in this condition. In agriculture and plant genetics, researchers study hexaploidy because it can accompany hybridization and may produce useful traits such as larger grain size or altered disease resistance. The word is mainly used in specialist scientific literature. Although plural forms are grammatically possible, the concept is normally treated as an uncountable condition, so discussions of hexaploidy generally do not require a plural.
nounThe condition of having six complete sets of homologous chromosomes in the cells of an organism. It is a form of polyploidy in which each chromosome is represented six times rather than the usual two.
- The state or condition of an organism or cell having six complete sets of homologous chromosomes.
"Researchers used chromosome doubling to induce hexaploidy in the plant."
"The study compared the fertility of diploid and hexaploidy-derived plants."
"Chromosome doubling was used to produce hexaploidy in the regenerated seedlings."
Rare; hexaploidy is normally used as an uncountable noun.
"The researchers documented two hexaploidies that had previously been considered diploid."
Hexaploidy gives a cell six full chromosome sets instead of the usual two, making it a striking example of how a single genetic change can transform an organism's biology.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does hexaploidy come from?
Hexaploidy combines the combining form hexa-, from Greek hexa meaning “six,” with -ploidy, a biological term derived from Greek ploos, meaning “fold” or “formation.” The compound reflects the defining biological feature of six chromosome sets. Its close relatives, including diploidy, triploidy, polyploidy, and hexaploid, belong to the same modern scientific vocabulary of chromosome-set terminology.
Related word forms
How hexaploidy is actually used
This is a specialized biological and genetic term used in cytology, botany, agriculture, and evolutionary studies. It is normally an uncountable noun and is more common in technical writing than in general speech.
Easily confused with hexaploidy
Hexaploidy is the state of having six chromosome sets, whereas hexaploid is an adjective describing the organism or cell in that state.