Sex chromosome

Pronunciation
/seks kroh-muh-sohm/
Category
Genetics
Singular
Sex chromosome
Plural
Sex chromosomes

Definition

Chromosomes that determine the sex of an organism. In most insects, females have two X chromosomes (XX), while males have one X and one Y chromosome. However, some insects use different mechanisms like the ZW system where females are ZW and males are ZZ.

Etymology

From Greek 'sexus' meaning 'sex' and 'chromosome', which refers to a threadlike structure.

Example

In insects, the sex chromosomes determine whether an individual develops as male or female.

Related Terms