In genetics, having two of the same form of a gene for a particular trait.
From “homo-” meaning “same” and “zygous” from Greek “zygon,” meaning “yoke” or “pair.” The term was formed in modern scientific Latin in the early 20th century as genetics developed.
Homozygous literally means “same pair,” like having two identical copies of a gene. Once you know this, “heterozygous” suddenly makes sense too—it’s the “different pair.”
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