balanced lethal

noun

: a true-breeding heterozygous organism maintained in a stable state through the existence of different lethals on each of a pair of homologous chromosomes and resulting in loss of all homozygotes

Word History

First Known Use

1917, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of balanced lethal was in 1917

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Dictionary Entries Near balanced lethal

Cite this Entry

“Balanced lethal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/balanced%20lethal. Accessed 8 Dec. 2024.

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