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What chromosomes belong to a typical human female?

a.44 autosomes and 2 X chromosomes
b.46 autosomes and two X chromosomes
c.22 autosomes and 2 X chromosomes
d.44 autosomes, one X chromosome, and one Y chromosome

User Zudwa
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2 Answers

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Final answer:

A typical human female has 44 autosomes and 2 X chromosomes, totaling 46 chromosomes. The 22 pairs of autosomes are the same in both genders, and the two X chromosomes are specific to females, determining their gender.

Step-by-step explanation:

The chromosomes that belong to a typical human female are 44 autosomes and 2 X chromosomes. Humans have 23 pairs of chromosomes in total, with 22 pairs being autosomes and one pair being the sex chromosomes. Autosomes are the same in both males and females and contain genes for characteristics unrelated to sex. The sex chromosomes determine the gender, with females possessing two X chromosomes. Unlike males, who have one X and one Y chromosome, females have a homologous pair of X chromosomes, making their 23rd chromosome pair XX.

Any statement suggesting that human females have 46 pairs of chromosomes or that they have a Y chromosome is incorrect. Additionally, every pair of chromosomes consists of homologous chromosomes, with the exception of the sex chromosomes in males. In human female somatic (body) cells, there are 46 total chromosomes (22 pairs of autosomes plus 2 sex chromosomes), and in male somatic cells, there are also 46 total chromosomes (22 pairs of autosomes plus one X and one Y chromosome).

To clarify any confusion, in human gametes (sperm and egg cells), which are haploid, there are 23 chromosomes in total (including one sex chromosome).

User Avani Kothari
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4 votes

Final answer:

The correct answer is option (a) which states that a typical human female has 44 autosomes and 2 X chromosomes, giving a total of 46 chromosomes in each cell. Females differ from males in their sex chromosomes, having two X chromosomes, whereas males have one X and one Y chromosome.

Step-by-step explanation:

Human Female Chromosome Complement

In humans, each cell typically contains 23 pairs of chromosomes, totaling 46 chromosomes. This set includes 22 pairs of autosomes and one pair of sex chromosomes. For a typical human female, the complete chromosome complement consists of 44 autosomes and two X chromosomes. Therefore, the correct answer to the question is option (a) 44 autosomes and 2 X chromosomes.

Sex chromosomes are distinct from autosomes in that they determine the genetic sex of the individual. While both males and females have the same autosomes, only females possess two X chromosomes. The X chromosome is one of the sex chromosomes that play a crucial role in the development of sexual characteristics and reproduction. It's worth noting that in females, one of the X chromosomes is inactivated in each cell, forming what is known as a Barr body.

In contrast, males have one X chromosome paired with a shorter Y chromosome, which triggers the development of male characteristics. Autosomes, the other 22 pairs of chromosomes, carry genes for traits unrelated to sex and are identical in both males and females. A complete understanding of human chromosome structure and function provides vital insight into genetics and hereditary patterns.

User Matthew Ruddy
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