Chromosome
Alternative names:
chromosomes
Information:
Humans have 46 chromosomes. There are a total of 23 pairs of chromosomes or 46 total chromosomes. All of the body's genes are contained within these 46 chromosomes.
Two of the chromosomes, the X and the Y chromosome, determine sex and are called the SEX CHROMOSOMES. Females have 2 X chromosomes and males have 1 X and 1 Y chromosome. The Y chromosome determines the male sex but does little else.
The remaining 44 chromosomes are called AUTOSOMAL CHROMOSOMES. Chromosomes exist in pairs. For convenience, scientists have numbered the autosomal chromosome pairs 1 through 22. The X and Y chromosome are the 23rd pair.
Each parent contributes one half of each pair or 23 chromosomes to their child, 22 autosomal and 1 sex chromosome. Females always contribute an X chromosome to the child while a male may contribute an X or a Y. Therefore, it is the male that determines the sex of the child.
RELATED TOPICS:
autosomal dominant
autosomal recessive
genetic counseling and prenatal diagnosis
sex-linked dominant
sex-linked recessive
For detailed information, see heredity and disease (genetics).
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