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Sex chromosomes (also referred to as allosomes, heterotypical chromosome, gonosomes, heterochromosomes, [1] [2] or idiochromosomes [1]) are chromosomes that carry the genes that determine the sex of an individual. The human sex chromosomes are a typical pair of mammal allosomes. They differ from autosomes in form, size, and
For example, humans have a diploid genome that usually contains 22 pairs of autosomes and one allosome pair (46 chromosomes total). The autosome pairs are labeled with numbers (1–22 in humans) roughly in order of their sizes in base pairs, while allosomes are labelled with their letters. [ 3 ]
The XX/XY sex-determination system is the most familiar, as it is found in humans. The XX/XY system is found in most other mammals, as well as some insects. In this system, females have two of the same kind of sex chromosome (XX), while males have two distinct sex chromosomes (XY).
Most organisms have the same genomic DNA in every cell; however, only certain genes are active in each cell to allow for cell function and differentiation within the body. [2] gDNA predominantly resides in the cell nucleus packed into dense chromosome structures. Chromatin refers to the combination of DNA and proteins that make up chromosomes.
One major difference between DNA and RNA is the sugar, with the 2-deoxyribose in DNA being replaced by the related pentose sugar ribose in RNA. [12] A section of DNA. The bases lie horizontally between the two spiraling strands [15] (animated version).
DNA can be copied very easily and accurately because each piece of DNA can direct the assembly of a new copy of its information. This is because DNA is made of two strands that pair together like the two sides of a zipper. The nucleotides are in the center, like the teeth in the zipper, and pair up to hold the two strands together.
Gene structure is the organisation of specialised sequence elements within a gene.Genes contain most of the information necessary for living cells to survive and reproduce. [1] [2] In most organisms, genes are made of DNA, where the particular DNA sequence determines the function of the gene.
Selected portions of the DNA nucleotide sequence are copied into a corresponding RNA nucleotide sequence, which either encodes a protein (if it is an mRNA) or forms a 'structural' RNA, such as a transfer RNA (tRNA) or ribosomal RNA (rRNA) molecule. Each region of the DNA helix that produces a functional RNA molecule constitutes a gene. [15]