MadSci Network: Genetics |
During meiosis (the process that produces sperm and egg cells in humans), the complete complement of chromosomes in the cell are duplicated; in humans, the 46 chromosomes (or 23 pairs) are duplicated to form 92 total chromosomes (or 46 pairs). The term homologous chromosomes is derived from the pairing that occurs during meiosis, but the more correct term is homologous pair. Each member of a pair is a homolog. During meiosis (in men), the X and Y chromosomes are paired together and thus form a homologous pair. The X and Y chromosomes are also the sex chromosomes in humans. If you receive an Y chromosome you are male, because this chromosome contains the genes that control male development. However, the X and Y chromosomes in humans also have a number of genes (or DNA sequences) in common. In fact, it is these DNA sequences that are common to both X and Y that allow them to pair during meiosis.
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