Biparentally is a term that is commonly used in the field of genetics and biology. It refers to the inheritance of traits or characteristics from both parents. In this article, we will explore the definition and meaning of biparentally, its origin, and its associations.
Definitions
Biparentally is an adjective that describes the mode of inheritance of traits or characteristics from both parents. It is used to describe the genetic makeup of an organism that is determined by the combination of genes from both its mother and father.
Origin
The term biparentally is derived from the Latin words “bi” meaning two and “parental” meaning relating to parents. It was first used in the early 20th century in the field of genetics to describe the inheritance of traits from both parents.
Meaning in different dictionaries
According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, biparentally means “inheriting traits from both parents”. The Oxford English Dictionary defines it as “relating to or involving both parents”.
Associations
Biparental inheritance is a fundamental concept in genetics and is responsible for the diversity of traits observed in organisms. It is also important in the study of evolution, as it allows for the accumulation of genetic variation over time.
Synonyms
Some synonyms of biparentally include:
- Maternal-paternal inheritance.
- Dual inheritance.
- Bi-parental inheritance.
Antonyms
The antonym of biparentally is uniparental, which refers to the inheritance of traits from only one parent.
The same root words
The root words of biparentally are “bi” meaning two and “parental” meaning relating to parents. Other words that share the same root words include:
- Bilingual – speaking two languages.
- Bifocal – having two lenses.
- Bisexual – attracted to both sexes.
Example Sentences
- The inheritance of traits in humans is biparentally determined.
- The genetic diversity of a population is influenced by biparental inheritance.
- The study of biparental inheritance is important in understanding the evolution of species.