Britannica AI Icon

Quick Summary

The X chromosome is one of two types of sex chromosomes, the other being the Y chromosome. In humans and many other mammals, females typically have two X chromosomes (XX), while males have one X and one Y chromosome (XY). The X chromosome carries numerous genes, while the Y chromosome has fewer.123

Sex determination in humans is primarily based on the sex chromosomes. An egg fertilized by an X-bearing sperm results in an XX (female) constitution, while fertilization by a Y-bearing sperm results in an XY (male) constitution. Traits controlled by genes on the X chromosome are called sex-linked. Conditions like red-green color blindness and hemophilia are more common in males because they have only one X chromosome and thus no alternative gene on a Y chromosome to counteract a recessive allele on the X. In females, one of the two X chromosomes is typically inactivated in each cell, a process known as X inactivation.4235

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.