Polüploidsuslik

Polüploidsuslik refers to the condition of possessing more than two complete sets of chromosomes. This genetic phenomenon is most common in plants, where it can lead to increased size, vigor, and altered characteristics. For example, many cultivated fruits and vegetables, such as strawberries, wheat, and potatoes, are polyploid. In animals, polyploidy is much rarer, with some invertebrates and a few fish and amphibian species exhibiting this trait. Humans typically have a diploid set of chromosomes (two copies of each), and polyploidy is generally not viable in mammals, though rare cases of triploidy and tetraploidy have been observed, often resulting in miscarriage or severe developmental abnormalities. The process by which polyploidy occurs can be natural, through errors in cell division, or induced artificially, often for agricultural purposes. This can involve chemical treatments or temperature shocks. The resulting increase in genetic material can influence gene expression and metabolic pathways, contributing to the observable phenotypic differences. Understanding polyploidy is crucial in fields like evolutionary biology and plant breeding.