sex chromosome

/sɛks ˌkroʊməˈsoʊm/

Other forms: sex chromosomes

Definitions of sex chromosome

1. noun

   (genetics) a chromosome that determines the sex of an individual
   “mammals normally have two sex chromosomes”

   types:

   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

   type of:

   chromosome

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