Question

If you were looking at a set of human chromosomes under the microscope, you would know when you saw the X chromosome in part because it is:

a) Larger than the Y chromosome
b) Smaller than the Y chromosome
c) The same size as the Y chromosome
d) Genetically identical to the Y chromosome
e) Larger and genetically identical to the Y chromosome

Answer 1

The X chromosome can be identified under a microscope as it is larger than the Y chromosome, containing around 2,000 genes which are mainly not involved in sex determination, while the Y chromosome contains fewer than 100 genes.

Step-by-step explanation:

If you were looking at a set of human chromosomes under the microscope, you would know when you saw the X chromosome in part because it is larger than the Y chromosome. The X chromosome has about 2,000 genes, which is significantly more than the fewer than 100 genes found on the Y chromosome.

In addition, the Y chromosome contains a specific gene, the SRY gene, which is crucial for determining sex, while the genes on the X chromosome are mostly unrelated to sex determination. Females have two X chromosomes, whereas males have one X and one Y chromosome, making the Y chromosome's smaller size and different gene content a marked contrast to the X chromosome.