It is often used in scientific and technical contexts to indicate something that is composed of different parts or having different characteristics.
For example:
* Heterogeneous: Consisting of dissimilar elements or components.
* Heterosexual: Attracted to people of the opposite sex.
* Heterotrophic: Obtaining nourishment from other organisms.
* Heterozygosity: Having two different alleles for a particular gene.
In general, "hetero" implies diversity, difference, or non-uniformity.