Name: Wayne
Status: Other
Grade: Other
Location: N/A
Country: United States
Date: January 2007
Question:
Is there any possibility to birth a child with the
YY chromosome? What would it look like, and how would it act?
Replies:
You would have to inherit an X chromosome along with the two Y chromosomes
and you would be a male and taller than average. You would also have severe
acne, possibly slightly retarded and a tendency toward criminality. Google
XYY syndrome for more information on this condition.
Ron Baker, Ph.D.
A YY chromosome individual would not survive. The Y chromosome is missing
too may essential genes to be able to survive without an X chromosome paired
with it. The X chromosome contains all the essential genes missing in the Y
chromosome.
Males are genetically weaker than females and may explain why males live 6-8
years less on the average than females.
Steve Sample
It is possible for that a zygote (first cell after fertilization, ie.
when egg and sperm come together) to inherit 2 Y's. But the X
chromosome contains genes on it that are necessary for life other than
determining sex, so if there is no X, that is not compatible with life
and that zygote would not grow into a baby. In effect it would be
"miscarried". The mother probably would never know she had conceived.
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