Having unpaired genes in an otherwise diploid cell; males are normally h. for genes on both sex chromosomes. SYN: hemizygotic.
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hemi·zy·gous -'zī-gəs adj having or characterized by one or more genes (as in a genetic deficiency or in an X chromosome paired with a Y chromosome) that have no allelic counterparts
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adj.
describing genes that are carried on an unpaired chromosome, for example the genes on the X chromosome in males.
• hemizygote n.
Medical dictionary. 2011.