SEX CHROMOSOME

Pronunciation (US): (GB):

Meaning:

(genetics) a chromosome that determines the sex of an individual

Example:

mammals normally have two sex chromosomes

Classified under:

Nouns denoting body parts

Hypernyms ("sex chromosome" is a kind of...):

chromosome (a threadlike strand of DNA in the cell nucleus that carries the genes in a linear order)

Domain category:

genetic science; genetics (the branch of biology that studies heredity and variation in organisms)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "sex chromosome"):

X chromosome (the sex chromosome that is present in both sexes: singly in males and doubly in females)

XX ((genetics) normal complement of sex chromosomes in a female)

XXX ((genetics) abnormal complement of three X chromosomes in a female)

XXY ((genetics) abnormal complement of sex hormones in a male resulting in Klinefelter's syndrome)

XY ((genetics) normal complement of sex hormones in a male)

XYY ((genetics) abnormal complement of sex hormones in a male who has two Y chromosomes)

Y chromosome (the sex chromosome that is carried by men)