Textbook Question
How do we know that X chromosomal inactivation of either the paternal or maternal homolog is a random event during early development in mammalian females?
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Ch. 5 - Sex Determination and Sex Chromosomes
Klug10th EditionEssentials of GeneticsISBN: 9780135588789
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Table of contents
- Ch. 1 - Introduction to Genetics16
- Ch. 2 - Mitosis and Meiosis28
- Ch. 3 - Mendelian Genetics37
- Ch. 4 - Modification of Mendelian Ratios53
- Ch. 5 - Sex Determination and Sex Chromosomes32
- Ch. 6 - Chromosome Mutations: Variation in Number and Arrangement37
- Ch. 7 - Linkage and Chromosome Mapping in Eukaryotes36
- Ch. 8 - Genetic Analysis and Mapping in Bacteria and Bacteriophages24
- Ch. 9 - DNA Structure and Analysis38
- Ch. 10 - DNA Replication29
- Ch. 11 - Chromosome Structure and DNA Sequence Organization22
- Ch. 12 - The Genetic Code and Transcription36
- Ch. 13 - Translation and Proteins27
- Ch. 14 - Gene Mutation, DNA Repair, and Transposition34
- Ch. 15 - Regulation of Gene Expression in Bacteria22
- Ch. 16 - Regulation of Gene Expression in Eukaryotes37
- Ch. 17 - Recombinant DNA Technology27
- Ch. 18 - Genomics, Bioinformatics, and Proteomics30
- Ch. 19 - The Genetics of Cancer21
- Ch. 20 - Quantitative Genetics and Multifactorial Traits37
- Ch. 21 - Population and Evolutionary Genetics45
Chapter 5, Problem 2
Write a short essay that discusses sex chromosomes as they contrast with autosomes.
Verified step by step guidance1
Begin by defining autosomes and sex chromosomes, explaining that autosomes are chromosomes that are the same in both sexes and carry genes for most traits, while sex chromosomes determine the biological sex of an organism.
Explain the typical number and types of autosomes and sex chromosomes in humans, noting that humans have 22 pairs of autosomes and 1 pair of sex chromosomes (XX in females and XY in males).
Discuss the differences in inheritance patterns between autosomes and sex chromosomes, highlighting that autosomes are inherited equally from both parents, whereas sex chromosomes follow sex-linked inheritance patterns.
Describe how genes on sex chromosomes can lead to sex-linked traits and disorders, such as color blindness or hemophilia, which are more common in males due to the presence of only one X chromosome.
Conclude by summarizing the functional and genetic distinctions between autosomes and sex chromosomes, emphasizing their roles in development, inheritance, and genetic diversity.
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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Sex Chromosomes
Sex chromosomes are a pair of chromosomes that determine the biological sex of an organism. In humans, these are the X and Y chromosomes, where typically females have two X chromosomes and males have one X and one Y. They carry genes related to sex determination and some other traits.
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Human Sex Chromosomes
Autosomes
Autosomes are all chromosomes that are not involved in determining sex. Humans have 22 pairs of autosomes, which carry the majority of an individual's genetic information, including genes responsible for most physical and biochemical traits.
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Differences Between Sex Chromosomes and Autosomes
Sex chromosomes differ from autosomes in number, gene content, and function. Sex chromosomes are involved in sex determination and often have unique inheritance patterns, such as hemizygosity in males for the X chromosome, while autosomes are inherited in pairs and carry genes for general traits.
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Related Practice
Textbook Question
How do we know that Drosophila utilizes a different sex-determination mechanism than mammals, even though it has the same sex-chromosome compositions in males and females?
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Textbook Question
Distinguish between the concepts of sexual differentiation and sex determination.
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