Definition of Sex Chromosomes



The chromosomes are of two types i.e. autosomes and sex chromosomes. There are 22 pairs of autosomes and 1 pair of sex chromosome in a cell of a human. The sex chromosomes are those which participate in determining the sex. The two sex chromosomes are X and Y. A female human has two X chromosomes whereas the cell of a male human is composed of one X and one Y chromosome.

 


Hence, the ovum contains a pair of X chromosome whereas the chromosome in sperm maybe X or Y. In the case of mammals, these sex chromosomes determine the gender of the organisms.

Sex Chromosomes Structure

 

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