Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

zygosity

Noun

/zaɪˈɡoʊsɪti/

Definition

The degree of similarity of the alleles for a trait in an organism.

Examples

The zygosity of the twins was determined to be dizygotic.
Understanding zygosity is essential in genetic studies of inheritance.
Researchers often assess the zygosity of subjects to ensure proper experimental controls.

Meaning

Zygosity refers to the genetic constitution of an individual regarding a specific gene or set of genes. It determines whether the alleles in a pair are identical or different.