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Heterogametic

Heterogametic sex

(Science: biology) The gender which has two different sex chromosomes.

For example: in humans, the male is heterogametic because he is xy (has an x chromosome and a Y chromosome).

in birds, the female is heterogametic because she is WZ (has a w chromosome and a Z chromosome).

Compare: homogametic sex.


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Re:

Aren't the unmatched chromosomes female in birds? In birds, and lepidoptera, among others, females are the heterogametic sex (assuming "unmatched" means XY or ZW)

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by Tweedy
Fri Jul 10, 2009 12:36 pm
 
Forum: Genetics
Topic: heritability of Z-linked trait
Replies: 2
Views: 134

Anyone know much on Hemizygous?

To clarify some of the terminology: female humans are referred to as homogametic - they have only one type of sex chromosome, the X. Males are heterogametic, having two different types of sex chromosomes, the X and the Y. In birds and some other animals, females are heterogametic, and males are ...

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by wbla3335
Thu Jul 26, 2007 10:37 am
 
Forum: Genetics
Topic: Anyone know much on Hemizygous?
Replies: 10
Views: 1700


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