Direction: In the following questions a statement of assertion (A) is...
In mammals, the presence of a Y chromosome is required for the development of a male sex phenotype. In contrast, the Y chromosome plays no significant role in sex determination in Drosophila. A Y chromosome is required for maleness, moreover, the presence of a single Y chromosome is sufficient even in the presence of several X chromosomes (e.g XXXXY).
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Direction: In the following questions a statement of assertion (A) is...
Assertion: Y chromosome causes maleness.
Reason: If the number of X chromosomes is more than one, femaleness dominates.
The correct answer is option 'C', which states that the assertion (A) is true but the reason (R) is false.
Explanation:
The determination of sex in mammals is based on the presence of sex chromosomes. Humans have 23 pairs of chromosomes, out of which one pair determines the sex of an individual. This pair consists of two sex chromosomes - X and Y.
1. Chromosome Composition:
- Males have one X chromosome and one Y chromosome (XY).
- Females have two X chromosomes (XX).
2. Role of Y Chromosome:
- The presence of the Y chromosome determines maleness in mammals.
- The Y chromosome carries the SRY (sex-determining region Y) gene, which initiates the development of testes in the early stages of embryonic development.
- The testes then produce testosterone, a male sex hormone, which leads to the development of male reproductive organs and secondary sexual characteristics.
3. Role of X Chromosome:
- The X chromosome carries genes responsible for the development of female reproductive organs and secondary sexual characteristics.
- In the absence of the Y chromosome, two X chromosomes lead to the development of female reproductive organs and femaleness.
4. Reason Explanation:
The reason given in the question, "If the number of X chromosomes is more than one, femaleness dominates," is incorrect because it implies that the presence of more X chromosomes determines femaleness. However, it is the absence or presence of the Y chromosome that determines the sex of an individual.
5. Conclusion:
In conclusion, the assertion that the Y chromosome causes maleness is true. However, the reason provided is false because it does not correctly explain the assertion. The presence of the Y chromosome is necessary for the development of male reproductive organs and maleness, while the presence of two X chromosomes leads to the development of female reproductive organs and femaleness.