Genome Glossary and Acronyms

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 plants. Human beings have 23 chromosomes in their reproductive cells.
See also: diploid

Haplotype

A way of denoting the collective genotype of a number of closely linked loci on a chromosome.

Hemizygous

Having only one copy of a particular gene. For example, in humans, males are hemizygous for genes found on the Y chromosome.

Heterozygosity

The presence of different alleles at one or more loci on homologous chromosomes.

Heterozygote

See: heterozygosity

Highly conserved sequence

DNA sequence that is very similar across several different types of organisms.
See also: gene,mutation

High-throughput sequencing

A fast method of determining the order of bases in DNA.
See also: sequencing

Homeobox

A short stretch of nucleotides whose base sequence is virtually identical in all the genes that contain it. Homeoboxes have been found in many organisms from fruit flies to human beings. In the fruit fly, a homeobox appears to determine when particular groups of genes are expressed during development.

Homolog

A member of a chromosome pair in diploid organisms or a gene that has the same origin and functions in two or more species.

Homologous chromosome

Chromosome containing the same linear gene sequences as another, each derived from one parent.

Homologous recombination

Swapping of DNA fragments between paired chromosomes.

Homology

Similarity in DNA or protein sequences between individuals of the same species or among different species.

Homozygote

An organism that has two identical alleles of a gene.
See also: heterozygote

Homozygous

See: homozygote

Hybrid

The offspring of genetically different parents.
See also: heterozygote

Hybridization

The process of joining two complementary strands of DNA or one each of DNA and RNA to form a double-stranded molecule.

Updated 26-Apr-07