Difference between revisions of "Chromosomal foundation/Introduction"
(Created page with " ==Chromosomes XX and XY== Although there are numerous anatomical and physiological differences between the sexes, the chromosomal basis of sex determination is quite si...") |
|||
Line 2: | Line 2: | ||
==Chromosomes XX and XY== | ==Chromosomes XX and XY== | ||
− | Although there are numerous anatomical and physiological differences between the sexes, the chromosomal basis of sex determination is quite simple. In humans, women carry two X chromosomes, while men have one X and one Y chromosome. This means that the DNA sequence differs by 1.5 percent between the sexes. The phenotypic differences result, among other things, from the fact that one of the two X chromosomes is inactivated in all women’s tissues. The inactivation is irreversible and affects either the X chromosome of paternal or maternal origin. Since this process takes place during early embryonic development, only the genes of the active X chromosome are read, providing information for the synthesis of the corresponding proteins. Since 15 percent of X chromosomal genes can escape inactivation, women can sometimes produce twice as many of the same protein as men. This can lead to significant differences in metabolism. | + | Although there are numerous anatomical and physiological differences between the sexes, the chromosomal basis of sex determination is quite simple. In humans, women carry two X chromosomes, while men have one X and one Y chromosome. This means that the DNA sequence differs by 1.5 percent between the sexes. The phenotypic differences result, among other things, from the fact that one of the two X chromosomes is inactivated in all women’s tissues. The inactivation is irreversible and affects either the X chromosome of paternal or maternal origin. Since this process takes place during early embryonic development, only the genes of the active X chromosome are read, providing information for the synthesis of the corresponding proteins. Since 15 percent of X chromosomal genes can escape inactivation, women can sometimes produce twice as many of the same protein as men. This can lead to significant differences in metabolism. From the sex-specific chromosome constellation (XX or XY) it is evident that Y-chromosomal genes are present only in men and are predominantly expressed in the reproductive system. Lastly, there are sex differences regarding physiological, anatomical and behavioral characteristics. <ref>Kindler-Röhrborn A, Pfleiderer B. Gendermedizin - Modewort oder Notwendigkeit?: - Die Rolle des Geschlechts in der Medizin. XX 2012; 1(03):146–52.</ref> |
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | From the sex-specific chromosome constellation (XX or XY) it is evident that Y-chromosomal genes are present only in men and are predominantly expressed in the reproductive system | ||
Back to Module 1: Sex and Gender in medicine. | Back to Module 1: Sex and Gender in medicine. | ||
Line 22: | Line 14: | ||
− | Last changed: 2021-03-02 11: | + | Last changed: 2021-03-02 11:28:55 |
Latest revision as of 12:28, 2 March 2021
Chromosomes XX and XY
Although there are numerous anatomical and physiological differences between the sexes, the chromosomal basis of sex determination is quite simple. In humans, women carry two X chromosomes, while men have one X and one Y chromosome. This means that the DNA sequence differs by 1.5 percent between the sexes. The phenotypic differences result, among other things, from the fact that one of the two X chromosomes is inactivated in all women’s tissues. The inactivation is irreversible and affects either the X chromosome of paternal or maternal origin. Since this process takes place during early embryonic development, only the genes of the active X chromosome are read, providing information for the synthesis of the corresponding proteins. Since 15 percent of X chromosomal genes can escape inactivation, women can sometimes produce twice as many of the same protein as men. This can lead to significant differences in metabolism. From the sex-specific chromosome constellation (XX or XY) it is evident that Y-chromosomal genes are present only in men and are predominantly expressed in the reproductive system. Lastly, there are sex differences regarding physiological, anatomical and behavioral characteristics. [1]
Back to Module 1: Sex and Gender in medicine.
Literature
License
This article is published under the Creative Commons License. The full license content can be retrieved here: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/legalcode
Autoren
Last changed: 2021-03-02 11:28:55