noun
- A condition in which an organism has more than two complete sets of chromosomes that are all derived from the same species.
Usage: biology; genetics; technical term
Examples
- Autopolyploidy occurs when a plant inherits multiple chromosome sets from a single parent species.
- Wheat is an example of a crop that exhibits autopolyploidy in its evolutionary history.
- Scientists study autopolyploidy to understand how polyploid organisms develop and reproduce.
- Autopolyploidy can arise through errors during meiosis or fertilization.
- Many cultivated plants show signs of autopolyploidy, which can affect their fertility and vigor.