CONSANGUINITY Meaning and
Definition
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Consanguinity is a term used in genetics and anthropology to refer to the biological relationship or kinship between individuals who share a common ancestor. It specifically denotes the degree of relatedness in terms of genetic inheritance between two or more individuals within a family or a population.
In a broader context, consanguinity refers to the state or condition of being descended from the same bloodline or having a close familial connection. It is often used to describe the relationship between parents and children, siblings, or extended family members, such as first cousins, second cousins, and so on.
Consanguinity is measured in degrees, with closer degrees indicating a higher degree of shared genetic material. For example, siblings have a consanguinity of 50%, meaning they share approximately half of their genetic material inherited from their parents. On the other hand, first cousins have a consanguinity of 12.5%, indicating that they share around one-eighth of their genetic material.
The concept of consanguinity holds significant importance in various fields, especially genetics. It plays a crucial role in assessing the risk of inherited genetic disorders or diseases within families. Higher degrees of consanguinity, such as in closely related marriages or intermarriage between relatives, can increase the chances of inherited genetic disorders due to a higher likelihood of carrying the same recessive genes. Consequently, consanguinity is considered by geneticists when studying inherited diseases or determining the likelihood of passing on genetic traits within a family lineage.
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Relationship by blood; descent from the same ancestor.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Common Misspellings for CONSANGUINITY
Etymology of CONSANGUINITY
The word consanguinity derives from the Latin term consanguinitas, which is formed by combining the prefix con- meaning together, and the noun sanguis, meaning blood. The term was adopted into Old French as consanguinite, before being borrowed into Middle English as consanguinite, and later evolving into the modern English word consanguinity.
Similar spelling words for CONSANGUINITY
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