How Do You Spell DIZYGOUS?

Pronunciation: [dɪzˈɪɡəs] (IPA)

Dizygous is a term used in genetics to describe twins who develop from two separate eggs that were fertilized by two separate sperm. The spelling of this word can be broken down phonetically as /daɪˈzaɪɡəs/. The first syllable, "di," means two, while the second syllable, "zygous," refers to the condition of having two sets of chromosomes. Together these syllables form the word dizygous, which describes the genetic makeup of fraternal twins. It's important to spell the word correctly to avoid confusion with other similar-sounding words.

DIZYGOUS Meaning and Definition

1. Dizygous, also known as dizygotic, is an adjective derived from the Greek words "di" meaning "two" and "zygotos" meaning "yoked" or "joined together." In biology, particularly in genetics and reproductive biology, dizygous refers to the condition of being born from two separate fertilized eggs or zygotes. It commonly pertains to twins, particularly fraternal twins, who develop from two distinct fertilized eggs that are usually released and fertilized simultaneously in a woman's ovaries during a single menstrual cycle.

   Dizygous twins share approximately 50% of their genetic material, much like any two siblings, as they result from the fertilization of two separate eggs by two different sperm cells. This genetic difference is responsible for dizygous twins having diverse physical characteristics, different blood types, and differing susceptibility to certain hereditary conditions or diseases. Unlike monozygotic twins, also known as identical twins, dizygous twins do not share the same placenta, chorion, or amniotic sac in the womb.

   The occurrence of dizygosity is influenced by various factors such as maternal age, ethnicity, heredity, and medical interventions like fertility treatments. Dizygous twins are more common than monozygotic twins, accounting for about two-thirds of all twin pregnancies. The term dizygous is widely used in the scientific and medical communities to distinguish between the two types of twinning and to better understand the genetics and reproductive aspects associated with it.

Common Misspellings for DIZYGOUS

• sizygous

Etymology of DIZYGOUS

The word "dizygous" is derived from the combination of two Greek roots.

The first root is "di-", which means "two" or "double". It is commonly used as a prefix in English and is derived from the Greek word "di" (δί) with the same meaning.

The second root is "zygon", which means "yoke" or "pair". It is derived from the Greek word "zygón" (ζυγόν) which specifically refers to a "yoke", like the one used to bind two animals together for pulling. In the context of genetics, it refers to the pair of chromosomes that come from each parent and are responsible for determining certain traits.

Combining these two roots, "di-" and "zygon", we get "dizygous", which refers to the condition of having two zygotes or originating from two separate fertilized eggs.