What is the Difference Between Autosomes and Sex Chromosomes?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚The main difference between autosomes and sex chromosomes lies in their role in determining an individual's characteristics and their inheritance patterns. Here are the key differences:
- Autosomes: These are the non-sex chromosomes in an organism's genome. Humans have 22 pairs of autosomes, numbered roughly in relation to their sizes. Autosomes carry genes for general body characteristics, such as growth and development. They follow Mendelian inheritance patterns, meaning that an individual inherits one copy of each autosome from each parent.
- Sex Chromosomes: These chromosomes determine an individual's sex and carry genes for certain sex-linked traits and disorders. In humans, there is one pair of sex chromosomes, with males having one X and one Y chromosome (XY), and females having two X chromosomes (XX). Sex chromosomes show non-Mendelian inheritance patterns, as they are partially homologous and inherited differently from autosomes.
In summary, autosomes are responsible for determining general body characteristics and follow Mendelian inheritance patterns, while sex chromosomes determine an individual's sex and carry genes for sex-linked traits, following non-Mendelian inheritance patterns.
Comparative Table: Autosomes vs Sex Chromosomes
Here is a table summarizing the differences between autosomes and sex chromosomes:
| Feature | Autosomes | Sex Chromosomes |
|---|---|---|
| Number of pairs | 22 homologous pairs (pairs 1-22) | 1 pair (23rd pair) |
| Function | Carry genes for general body characteristics | Determine an individual's sex and carry genes for certain sex-linked traits |
| Size and form | Vary in size and form | Different in males and females by their size, form, and behavior |
| Centromere position | Centromere position is identical in autosomal pairs | Position of the centromere is not identical in male sex chromosomes (XY) |
| Labeling | Labeled with numbers (1 to 22) | Labeled with letters (XY, ZW, XO, and ZO) |
As the table shows, autosomes and sex chromosomes differ in the number of pairs, their function, size and form, centromere position, and how they are labeled. Autosomes carry genes for general body characteristics while sex chromosomes determine an individual's sex and carry genes for certain sex-linked traits.
- Autosomes vs Chromosomes
- Sex-linked vs Autosomal
- Male vs Female Chromosomes
- Autosomes vs Allosomes
- XX vs XY Chromosomes
- X vs Y Chromosomes
- Homologous vs Homeologous Chromosomes
- Chromatin vs Chromosomes
- Homologous Chromosomes vs Sister Chromatids
- DNA vs Chromosome
- Gene vs Chromosome
- Chromosome vs Chromatid
- Male vs Female Karyotypes
- Male vs Female DNA
- Chromatin vs Chromatid
- Gene Mutation vs Chromosome Mutation
- Male vs Female Gametes
- Meiosis in Males vs Females
- Male vs Female Germ Cell