answersLogoWhite

0

Definition

Chromosomes are long pieces of DNA found in the center (nucleus) of cells. DNA is the material that holds genes. It is considered the building block of the human body.

Information

Chromosomes come in pairs. Normally, each cell in the human body has 23 pairs of chromosomes (46 total chromosomes). Half come from the mother; the other half come from the father.

Two of the chromosomes (the X and the Y chromosome) determine if you are born a boy or a girl (your gender). They are called sex chromosomes:

  • Females have 2 X chromosomes.
  • Males have 1 X and 1 Y chromosome.

The mother always contributes an X chromosome to the child. The father may contribute an X or a Y. Therefore, it is the father that determines the gender of the child.

The remaining chromosomes are called autosomal chromosomes. They are known as chromosome pairs 1 through 22.

Related topics:

For detailed information, see heredity and disease(genetics).

User Avatar

Wiki User

14y ago

What else can I help you with?

Related Questions

Is an x chromosome and chromosome the same thing?

An x chromosome is specifically a feminine chromosome. With a x and y chromosome its male, with a x and x, it is a female.


Which chromosome contains the sex gene?

chromosome 1 chromosome 1


What are the name of 23 chromosomes in human body?

No, there are 46 chromosomes in one cell. A gamete, or sex cell, has 23 chromosomes because during fertilization, the female and male gametes (egg and sperm, respectively) come together to form a new cell with 46 chromosomes


What is the designation for the short arm of a chromosome?

Chromosome # + pso the short arm of Chromosome 11 is referred to as 11p


Does an x chromosome looks the same as a y chromosome?

No. An 'X' chromosome looks like an 'X'. The 'Y' chromosome looks like a deformed 'X'. It is noticeably different to an 'X' chromosome. Also, the 'Y' chromosome is only a third of the size of an 'X' chromosome - an 'X' chromosome is 155 million base pares, while the 'Y' chromosome is only 58 million base pairs.


4 chromosome mutations?

Deletion: Part of a chromosome is missing. Duplication: A segment of a chromosome is copied multiple times. Inversion: A segment of a chromosome is reversed in orientation. Translocation: Part of a chromosome breaks off and attaches to another chromosome.


What is the difference between Edward's syndrome and Patau's syndrome?

in Patau there is an extra chromosome in chromosome 13, in Edwars it the extra chromosome is in chromosome 18


What condition is carried on a chromosome other then the sex chromosome?

The gene that causes cystic fibrosis is located on chromosome 7, which is an autosome, not a sex chromosome.


List these in order from smallest to largest chromosome gene cell?

Smallest to largest: Gene (a place on a chromosome); chromosome (there are 46 in human cells); and DNA (because it accounts for all the genetic material in a cell).


What sex chromosome is present in all humans?

There are two sex chromosomes: the X chromosome and the Y chromosome. During fertilization, the mother always gives an X chromosome and the father gives either another X chromosome or a Y chromosome. Therefore, all humans have at least one X chromosome.


What chromosome is Parkinson's disease on?

Chromosome 4


What chromosome does hemophilia come from?

The X Chromosome.