Friday, April 27, 2012

X is for....

X Chromosome
The X chromosome is one of the two sex chromosomes in humans. The other is the Y chromosome.
The sex chromosomes form one of the 23 pairs of human chromosomes in each cell. Females have two X chromosomes, while males have one X and one Y. So that is all that separates us girls from the guys, one microscopic scrap of genetic material?

While I didn't understand most of what I read while researching this post I did discover just how influential this x chromosome can be.
*If a male has one or more extra copies of the x chromosome in his cells he may suffer intellectual disability, abnormal sexual development and other health issues.(Klinefelter syndrome)
* In girls Triple X syndrome results from an extra copy of the notorious X chromosome and can result in abnormally tall stature, learning problems and other abnormalities.
*Now if a female is missing one of her X chromosomes the missing genetic material results in Turner Syndrome. This leads to short stature, ovarian malfunction and other symptoms.

So respect the X. It has a powerful influence on who and what we are.

(ref: Genetics Home Reference -http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/chromosome/X)





1 comment:

Barbara In Caneyhead said...

I adore the cartoon!!