noun
chimera
An organism containing cells with different genetic origins.
The laboratory identifies the animal as a chimera containing two genetically distinct cell populations.
Etymology
The mythical Chimera combines parts of different animals. Biology borrows that composite image for one organism containing cells descended from different genetic sources.
More examples
- The sample came from a genetic chimera.
- Researchers studied how the chimera's tissues developed.
- The report distinguishes a chimera from an ordinary hybrid.
Forms
chimera · chimeras
Similar words
- hybrid
- A hybrid generally results from crossing parents; a chimera contains cell populations of different genetic origins.