X or Y: Does It Make a Difference?
Normal human genes: Male XY genes (left); Female genes XX genes (right).
© Wessex Regional Genetics Centre/Wellcome Images. CC-BY-NC-ND 4.0
- Grades:
- Length: 60 Minutes
Overview
Students describe the functional differences of X and Y chromosomes, and explain the significance of these differences within the human genome.
- Teacher
Background - Objectives and Standards
- Materials and
Setup - Procedure and
Extensions - Handouts and
Downloads
Teacher Background
Detailed studies of the sequence and gene activity within the human X chromosome are providing interesting insights and raising questions about the differences between males and females. Women have two X chromosomes while men have an X and Y. The Y chromosome is relatively gene-poor. In women, one of the X chromosomes is partially shut down in each cell. Adding additional interest to the picture is that more than 300 diseases have already been associated with the X chromosome.
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