Autotetraploid

/ˌɔːtətɛtrəplɔɪd/ noun

Definition

An organism that has four complete sets of chromosomes, all inherited from the same species.

Etymology

From auto- (self) + tetra- (four) + -ploid (set of chromosomes). A biology term from the 20th century describing polyploid organisms.

Kelly Says

Many plants, including wheat and strawberries, originated as autotetraploids—having four chromosome sets instead of two like humans actually made them bigger and more productive, which is why farmers accidentally discovered this genetic advantage centuries ago.

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