What is the Difference Between Autosomes and Allosomes?

The main difference between autosomes and allosomes lies in their function and the characteristics they determine. Here are the key differences between the two:

• Autosomes are the chromosomes that determine somatic or physical characteristics of an organism. They are present in both males and females and contain genes that perform unique and specific functions. The human genome has 22 pairs of autosomes.
• Allosomes are sex chromosomes that contain genes and determine the sex and sex-linked inheritance of an organism. The human genome has 1 pair of allosomes, which are labeled with letters XY, XO, ZO, or ZW. Female allosomes are homologous, while male allosomes are non-homologous. Allosomes play a significant role in sex determination, as the X and Y chromosomes pair together during meiosis, and this pairing influences sex determination.

In summary, autosomes are responsible for determining non-sex-related traits, while allosomes are responsible for determining an individual's sex and sex-linked characteristics.

Comparative Table: Autosomes vs Allosomes

Here is a table comparing the differences between autosomes and allosomes:

In summary, autosomes are chromosomes that determine an organism's physical characteristics, while allosomes are sex chromosomes that determine the organism's sex and sex-linked traits. Autosomes show Mendelian inheritance, while allosomes show non-Mendelian inheritance. Autosomes are homologous in both males and females, whereas allosomes differ in males and females. Allosomes play a significant role in sex determination, while autosomes do not influence sex and related characteristics.