What does homogametic mean?
Homogametic is a genetics adjective describing an organism or reproductive cell that produces gametes carrying identical alleles for a particular gene or chromosome. For example, a homogametic parent passes the same allele for a gene to every egg or sperm it produces. The term is especially useful in discussions of inheritance, breeding, and population genetics because it highlights uniformity at the level of reproductive cells. It is closely related to the condition of being homozygous, although the two terms focus on slightly different aspects: homozygous describes the matching alleles in an individual’s genome, while homogametic describes the genetic content of the gametes that individual produces. The contrasting term is heterogametic, which refers to producing two different alleles. Homogametic is a specialized term rather than general vocabulary, so it is most often encountered in biological and genetic discussions.
adjectiveProducing or possessing gametes that carry identical alleles for a particular gene or chromosome. It is the genetic condition corresponding to being homozygous, as opposed to heterozygous.
- Producing gametes that carry identical alleles for a specified gene or chromosome.
- Having a genotype in which the alleles for a specified gene or chromosome are identical.
"The organism was homogametic for the relevant gene, so all of its gametes carried the same allele."
"Because the plant is homogametic for the flower-colour gene, its offspring inherit the same allele from this parent."
"The study compared the reproductive success of homogametic and heterogametic populations under changing environmental conditions."
Homogametic means a cell's genetic inheritance takes the same path with every reproductive outcome.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does homogametic come from?
Homogametic was formed in the early 20th century from the combining form homo-, meaning “same,” and gametic, relating to gametes or their formation. Gamete itself comes through modern Latin from Greek gametē, meaning “wife” or “husband,” and ultimately from gamos, meaning “marriage”; in biology, the term was adopted for the reproductive cells that unite during fertilization. The prefix homo- likewise derives from Greek homos, meaning “same.”
Related word forms
How homogametic is actually used
This is a technical genetics term, used primarily in biology and population genetics. It is not interchangeable with homozygous in every context: homozygous describes an individual's allele pair, while homogametic emphasizes the alleles carried by the gametes produced.
Easily confused with homogametic
A homogametic individual produces gametes carrying identical alleles, whereas a heterogametic individual produces gametes carrying different alleles.
Homogametic is a specialized genetics term describing identical alleles in gametes; homogeneous more generally means uniform in composition or appearance.