Kaplan Nursing Entrance Practice Exam

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How do sex chromosomes contribute to biological sex?

Only the X chromosome determines sex
The combination of X and Y chromosomes determines sex
Sex is determined by autosomes
They have no relation to sex determination

The correct answer is: The combination of X and Y chromosomes determines sex

The combination of X and Y chromosomes determines biological sex in humans primarily due to the specific roles these chromosomes play in sex differentiation. Males typically have one X and one Y chromosome (XY), while females usually have two X chromosomes (XX). The presence of the Y chromosome is particularly crucial because it contains the SRY gene (Sex-determining Region Y), which triggers the development of male characteristics during embryonic development. In the absence of the Y chromosome, such as in individuals with two X chromosomes, the typical development pathway leads to female characteristics. Therefore, it is the interplay between these sex chromosomes that ultimately establishes the biological sex of an individual. Understanding this genetic mechanism is fundamental in genetics and developmental biology, highlighting the critical role that X and Y chromosomes have in determining not only sex but also related biological functions.