Heptaploid

/ˈhɛptəplɔɪd/ noun

Definition

An organism or cell with seven complete sets of chromosomes instead of the normal number.

Etymology

From Greek 'hepta' (seven) + 'ploid' (fold, from 'ploos'). A genetics term used since the 1900s when scientists discovered polyploid organisms.

Kelly Says

Heptaploid plants are incredibly rare in nature but happen surprisingly often in agriculture—some strawberries and wheat varieties are heptaploids, meaning they have seven copies of each chromosome instead of two.

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