Roots of Common Terms in Genetics

(L = Latin, G = Greek, F = French, Ge = German, U = Unknown Origin)

Codominant

co = together (L)

Dihybrid

di = double, two (G)

Diploid

di = double, two (G); oid = similar or like (G)

Epistasis

epi = on, upon (G); stasis = stopping or standing (G)

Genotype

geno = gene (G); type = figure, pattern (L)

Haploid

hapl = single, simple (G); oid = similar or like (G)

Hemizygous

hemi = one half (G); zygous = having a zygotic constitution of a specified kind, as denoted by the prefix (G)

Heterozygous

hetero = different (G); zygous = having a zygotic constitution of a specified kind, as denoted by the prefix (G)

Homozygous

Monohybrid

mono = single (G)

Phenotype

pheno = showing, displaying (G); type = figure, pattern (L)

Pleiotropy

pleio = more (G); tropy = tendency to move away or toward a stimulus (G)

Semidominant

semi = half (L)