What is a Barr body, and where is it found in a cell?
Table of contents
- 1. Introduction to Genetics51m
- 2. Mendel's Laws of Inheritance3h 37m
- 3. Extensions to Mendelian Inheritance2h 41m
- 4. Genetic Mapping and Linkage2h 28m
- 5. Genetics of Bacteria and Viruses1h 21m
- 6. Chromosomal Variation1h 48m
- 7. DNA and Chromosome Structure56m
- 8. DNA Replication1h 10m
- 9. Mitosis and Meiosis1h 34m
- 10. Transcription1h 0m
- 11. Translation58m
- 12. Gene Regulation in Prokaryotes1h 19m
- 13. Gene Regulation in Eukaryotes44m
- 14. Genetic Control of Development44m
- 15. Genomes and Genomics1h 50m
- 16. Transposable Elements47m
- 17. Mutation, Repair, and Recombination1h 6m
- 18. Molecular Genetic Tools19m
- 19. Cancer Genetics29m
- 20. Quantitative Genetics1h 26m
- 21. Population Genetics50m
- 22. Evolutionary Genetics29m
6. Chromosomal Variation
Chromosomal Mutations: Aneuploidy
Problem 17
Textbook Question
Define the Lyon hypothesis.

1
The Lyon hypothesis, also known as X-chromosome inactivation, explains how dosage compensation occurs in mammals to balance the expression of X-linked genes between males (XY) and females (XX).
According to the hypothesis, in female mammals, one of the two X chromosomes in each somatic cell is randomly inactivated during early embryonic development.
The inactivated X chromosome condenses into a structure called a Barr body, which is transcriptionally silent, meaning its genes are not expressed.
This process ensures that females, like males, have only one functional copy of the X chromosome in each cell, preventing overexpression of X-linked genes.
The Lyon hypothesis is named after Mary Lyon, who proposed it in 1961, and it is a fundamental concept in understanding X-linked inheritance and gene regulation in mammals.

This video solution was recommended by our tutors as helpful for the problem above
Video duration:
1mPlay a video:
Was this helpful?
Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Lyon Hypothesis
The Lyon hypothesis, proposed by Mary Lyon in 1961, states that in female mammals, one of the two X chromosomes is randomly inactivated during early embryonic development. This process, known as X-inactivation, ensures dosage compensation between males (who have one X chromosome) and females (who have two). The inactivated X chromosome condenses into a structure called a Barr body, which is largely transcriptionally inactive.
Recommended video:
Guided course
Translation:Wobble Hypothesis
X-Inactivation
X-inactivation is a crucial genetic mechanism that occurs in female mammals to equalize gene expression between the sexes. During early development, one of the X chromosomes in each cell is randomly chosen to be inactivated, leading to a mosaic pattern of gene expression. This process is essential for preventing an overdose of X-linked gene products, which could be detrimental to cellular function.
Recommended video:
Guided course
X-Inactivation
Barr Body
A Barr body is the condensed, inactive X chromosome found in the somatic cells of female mammals. It serves as a physical manifestation of X-inactivation, where the inactivated X chromosome becomes tightly packed and largely transcriptionally silent. The presence of Barr bodies can be used to determine the sex of an individual at the cellular level and is a key feature in understanding the Lyon hypothesis.
Recommended video:
Guided course
Other Chromatin Modifications
Related Videos
Related Practice
Textbook Question
869
views