Everyone knows
the underlying main difference between males and females depends on one element
of the human genome. The X and Y chromosomes are the sex chromosomes, where females
have two X’s and males have one X and one Y. However, a long time ago, the X
and Y chromosome were identical until the Y started to differentiate in males.
It began to shrink substantially, as it now carries only about 20 genes, and
the X chromosome carries over 1000 genes. It was not until recently that
scientists discovered when the Y chromosome first appeared in mammals, about
180 million years ago. To determine this, scientists examined samples of
several male tissues from different species. They recovered the Y chromosome
genes from several mammalian lineages including placentals, marsupials and
monotremes. They ended up establishing the largest gene atlas of the Y chromosome
to date.
I think this new discovery is very
important to learning more about the evolution of mammals. With further
research into this field, hopefully scientists will be able to discover even more
about the sex chromosomes. This could lead to new procedures for gender-selection
of babies, or may even help to find a cure for sex-linked diseases.
Related
Article: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/end-of-men-not-just-yet-say-scientists-investigating-mysteries-of-male-y-chromosome-9278496.html
interesting article. I didn't know that much about the x and y chromosome but now I see that a long time ago, it was very different!
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