Learn about the xx and xy chromosomes, the sex determination system, and other chromosome combinations. In this system, the karyotypic sex of an individual is usually determined by a pair of sex chromosomes Typically, karyotypic females have two of the same kind of sex chromosome (xx), and are called. Sex chromosome, either of a pair of chromosomes that determine whether an individual is male or female The sex chromosomes of human beings and other mammals are designated by scientists as x and y In humans the sex chromosomes consist of one pair of the total of 23 pairs of chromosomes.
These include 22 pairs of “autosomes” (which refers to all chromosomes that are not sex chromosomes) and a pair of sex chromosomes, either an x and a y (which makes for a male) or two xs (female) That means the genetic signature for a person with 46 chromosomes is either 46,xy (males), or 46,xx (females). Xx and xy chromosomes are only part of the story Discover how sex chromosomes vary naturally and why biological sex isn't always binary Learn about dsds and intersex variations. Cracking the code to sex and genetics