Y chromosome

the sex chromosome that is responsible for determining maleness in humans and other mammals. The body cells of normal males possess one Y chromosome and one X chromosome (XY). The Y chromosome is much smaller than the X chromosome and is thought to carry just a handful of functioning genes. Hence, males are far more susceptible to sex-linked diseases than females, because the Y chromosome lacks the alleles to counteract any defective genes carried on the X chromosome.

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Psychology term of the day

April 29th 2024

tonometer

1. a device that can produce a tone of a given pitch or can measure the pitch of other tones.

2. see tonometry.