Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
The X chromosome is one of the two sex chromosomes in humans (the other being the Y chromosome). It carries a larger amount of genetic information compared to the Y chromosome. Females have two X chromosomes, while males have one X and one Y.
These are specific sequences of DNA that determine our traits and characteristics.
Sex-linked Traits: These are traits that are determined by genes located on sex chromosomes. For example, color blindness is a trait linked to the X chromosome.
These are thread-like structures within cell nuclei that carry genes in a linear order. Humans have 23 pairs of chromosomes, including one pair of sex chromosomes (X and Y).