Glossary
autopolyploid refers to cells or organisms, in which all cells contain three or more complete matching sets of chromosomes
allopolyploid refers to cells or organisms, which contain complete chromosome sets from two distinct, but related, species
aneuploid refers to a cell or organism whose chromosome number is not an exact multiple of its normal haploid chromosome number
bivalent refers to the pairing of exactly two usually homologous chromosomes during meiosis
diploid refers to cells and organisms containing two complete matching sets of chromosomes
diploidization refers to the process of converting a polyploid genome into a diploid genome through genomic changes leading to differentiation of previously homoeologous chromosomes
endoploidy refers to cells and organisms of certain somatic tissues within an organism having a higher ploidy than the germline cells of the organism, e.g. liver cells in humans and leaf mesophyll cells in plants
epigenetic refers to the state of the DNA with respect to heritable changes in function without a change in the nucleotide sequence. Epigenetic changes can be caused by modification of the DNA, such as by methylation.
Euploid refers to cells and organisms containing multiples of a complete set of chromosomes
genomic shock the disruption of genomes due to environmental or genetic assault. Polyploidization may be a form of genomic shock that might cause changes in gene transcription and gene methylation.
haploid A single set of chromosomes (half the full set of genetic material), present in the egg and sperm cells of animals and in the egg and pollen cells of plant
homologs vs. homeologs homologs are the complementary chromosomes from one of the progenitors in an allopolyploid cross, homeologs are the similar but not truly homologous chromosomes from the other parent.
homologous chromosome A pair of chromosomes containing the same linear gene sequences, each derived from one parent. Humans normally have 22 pairs of homologous chromosomes and 2 X chromosomes (female) or 1 X and 1 Y chromosome (male). Compare sex chromosomes.
multivalent refers to the pairing of more than two chromosomes during meiosis
paleopolyploid refers to an organism that has an ancient polyploid ancestor and evolved to become more diploid-like.
ploidy refers to the number of complete sets of chromosomes present in the cells or organism.
polyploid refers to cells and organisms containing three or more complete matching sets of chromosomes
segmental allopolyploid refers to an intermediate form between auto- and allo- polyploids (Stebbins 1950).