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Sex Linkage

AQA A-level BiologyGenetics and VariationLesson 24 of 36

In humans, there are 23 pairs of homologous chromosomes. 22 pairs are called autosomes and there is a pair of sex chromosomes. Females have two X chromosomes and males have two Y chromosomes. The Y chromosome has few genes. All mammals would develop as females in the absence of the genes on the Y chromosome which stimulate primary sexual development in the embryo.

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Key terms in this lesson

allele
One of two or more alternative versions of a gene, occupying the same locus on homologous chromosomes.

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