The primary chromosome that determines maleness is the Y chromosome.
Here's a breakdown:
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Chromosome Basics: Humans typically have 46 chromosomes, arranged in 23 pairs. One pair determines sex: the sex chromosomes.
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Female Sex Chromosomes: Females typically have two X chromosomes (XX).
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Male Sex Chromosomes: Males typically have one X chromosome and one Y chromosome (XY).
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The Y Chromosome's Role: The presence of the Y chromosome generally dictates male development. It contains a gene called SRY (Sex-determining Region Y), which is crucial for initiating the development of testes.
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Beyond the Y Chromosome: While the Y chromosome is the primary determinant, other genes on other chromosomes can also influence sex development and expression.
Therefore, while both the X and Y chromosomes are present in males, the Y chromosome is the key chromosome associated with maleness due to the presence of the SRY gene.
