Which term refers to the chromosomal set that determines sex in humans?

Which term refers to the chromosomal set that determines sex in humans?

• A. Sex chromosome
• B. Autosome
• C. Genome
• D. Karyotype

Answer: (A)

Sex in humans is determined by the presence or absence of a Y chromosome within the chromosome set. The term for that set is the sex chromosome. Humans have two sex chromosomes, X and Y; typically females are XX and males are XY. The Y chromosome carries genes like SRY that steer development toward male characteristics, while the absence of a Y generally leads to female development. The other terms refer to different ideas: autosomes are the non-sex chromosomes, the genome is the entire genetic material, and a karyotype is the visual arrangement of all chromosomes used to study number or structure.

Sex in humans is determined by the presence or absence of a Y chromosome within the chromosome set. The term for that set is the sex chromosome. Humans have two sex chromosomes, X and Y; typically females are XX and males are XY. The Y chromosome carries genes like SRY that steer development toward male characteristics, while the absence of a Y generally leads to female development. The other terms refer to different ideas: autosomes are the non-sex chromosomes, the genome is the entire genetic material, and a karyotype is the visual arrangement of all chromosomes used to study number or structure.