Allopolyploid

/ˌæloʊˈpɑːliˌplɔɪd/ noun

Definition

An organism that has multiple sets of chromosomes derived from two or more different species, combining genetic material from distinct parents.

Etymology

From Greek 'allo-' (other) + 'polyploid' (many folds). This term emerged in early 20th-century genetics to describe hybrid organisms with redundant chromosome sets from multiple species.

Kelly Says

Humans accidentally created some of our most important foods through allopolyploidy—bread wheat is actually an allopolyploid that arose when different wheat species hybridized thousands of years ago, giving us a grain that's better at feeding people.

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