Definition

1. Noun:
   • (Genetics) A chromosome that determines the sex of an individual: A type of chromosome involved in the biological development of sex characteristics. In many species, including mammals, the combination of sex chromosomes inherited from the parents (e.g., X and Y) dictates whether the offspring will develop as male or female.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The presence of a Y chromosome typically determines male development in humans.
  • In birds, the sex chromosome system is different; females are ZW and males are ZZ.
  • Genetic screening can identify abnormalities in the sex chromosomes.

Advanced Usage

• "Heterogametic sex": Refers to the sex that produces two different types of gametes (sex cells) regarding sex chromosomes. In humans, males (XY) are the heterogametic sex, producing sperm with either an X or a Y chromosome.
• "Sex-linked inheritance": Describes the pattern of inheritance for genes located on the sex chromosomes, which often causes traits to appear more frequently in one sex.

Variants and Related Words

• Autosome (n): Any chromosome that is not a sex chromosome. Humans have 22 pairs of autosomes.
• Allosome (n): Another, more technical term for a sex chromosome.
• X chromosome (n): One type of sex chromosome.
• Y chromosome (n): One type of sex chromosome.

Synonyms

• Allosome: (Technical) A chromosome that differs from an ordinary autosome in form, size, or behavior and is involved in sex determination.
• Heterochromosome: (Technical, largely historical) An older term for a sex chromosome.

Related Phrases

• Sex determination: The biological system that decides the sex of an organism, often involving sex chromosomes.
• Chromosomal sex: The sex as determined by the presence of particular sex chromosomes (e.g., XX for female, XY for male in humans).

Noun

1. (genetics) a chromosome that determines the sex of an individual
   • mammals normally have two sex chromosomes