Topic 3 - sex determination and sex

linked genes
Sex Determination

Unlike most other features, sex is determined by chromosomes rather than genes.

There are two sex chromosomes:

X chromosome

Y chromosome

(All other non-sex chromosomes are called autosomal chromosomes).

In humans, and many other organisms.

Female is the homogametic sex – X X.

Male is the heterogametic sex – X Y.

In birds, some reptiles and all butterflies, the homogametic and heterogametic sex is
reversed so that:

Female – X Y

Male – X X

In some organisms like some insects, the Y chromosome is absent so:

Female – X X

Male – X O

Environmental conditions and temperature can affect sex determination.

Sex-linked Genes

Genes that are on one sex chromosome, but not the other, are said to be sex linked. 
In many animals, the Y chromosome contains only about 20 genes, most of which
determine maleness or male fertility.  In contrast, the X chromosome contains many
genes that have nothing to do with female specific traits.

The human X chromosome contains 1500 genes that have no counterpart on the Y
chromosome including the gene for colour vision, blood clotting and certain structural
proteins in muscle.  Human sex linked characteristics are therefore found mainly on
the X chromosome.