Heptaploidy

/ˌhɛptəˈplɔɪdi/ noun

Definition

The condition in which a cell or organism has seven complete sets of chromosomes instead of the usual one or two.

Etymology

From Greek 'hepta' (seven) + '-ploid' (from Greek 'ploos,' fold). The suffix '-ploidy' emerged in 20th-century genetics to describe chromosome sets, extending 'diploid' and 'haploid' terminology.

Kelly Says

Plants love being heptaploid—strawberries and some wheat varieties are heptaploid, which actually makes them more vigorous and hardy, so sometimes having extra chromosome sets is a plant's superpower rather than a problem.

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