How Do You Spell OVERDOMINANCE?

Pronunciation: [ˌə͡ʊvədˈɒmɪnəns] (IPA)

The word "overdominance" is spelled O-V-E-R-D-O-M-I-N-A-N-C-E. Its IPA phonetic transcription is /əʊvədəʊmɪnəns/. The stressed syllable is "min", which is pronounced with a short "i" sound, and the "ance" suffix is pronounced with a nasal "n" sound. This word refers to a genetic phenomenon where a heterozygote has a greater fitness than either of the homozygotes, which can result in the maintenance of genetic diversity in a population. It is commonly studied in evolutionary biology and genetics.

Meaning and Definition
Etymology
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OVERDOMINANCE Meaning and Definition

  1. Overdominance refers to a phenomenon in genetics that occurs when the heterozygous condition for a particular gene locus confers a greater advantage compared to either of the homozygous conditions. In other words, it is a situation in which the hybrid or heterozygote shows better fitness or traits than both of the homozygotes. This genetic phenomenon can manifest in different ways such as increased resistance to certain diseases, heightened physical fitness, or improved overall functioning.

    The concept of overdominance is often associated with the occurrence of heterozygote advantage, which means that individuals possessing two different alleles for a particular gene have a higher survival rate or reproductive success than those who are homozygous for either allele. This advantage may arise due to a variety of mechanisms, including increased immune resistance, improved metabolic efficiency, or enhanced functionality of certain cellular or physiological processes.

    Overdominance has been observed in various organisms, including plants, animals, and humans. It can have significant implications in evolutionary biology, as it may lead to the persistence and maintenance of genetic diversity within a population. This is because the heterozygous individuals, who possess a mix of alleles, have a higher chance of survival and reproductive success, allowing for a wider range of genetic combinations to persist in subsequent generations.

    Overall, overdominance is a genetic phenomenon characterized by the superiority of a heterozygote over its homozygous counterparts, contributing to the establishment and maintenance of genetic diversity in populations.

Etymology of OVERDOMINANCE

The word "overdominance" is a compound word derived from two roots: "over" and "dominance".

1. "Over" comes from Old English "ofer", which originally meant "above" or "across". It is related to the German "über" and carries the sense of excess, surpassing, or exceeding a particular limit.

2. "Dominance" comes from the Latin word "dominare", meaning "to rule" or "to govern". It is derived from the noun "dominus", which means "lord" or "master". The word has its roots in the Proto-Indo-European language with the term "dem-" or "dom-", which referred to concepts of mastery or control.