Ask A Scientist , top bar
Office of DOE Science Education Department of Energy Office of Science
image 1
image 2
image 3
image 4
YY Chromosome Survival

Welcome Teachers and Students


Visit Our Archives
How to Ask a Question
Ask A Question
Question of the Week
Our Expert Scientists

About Ask A Scientist
Referencing NEWTON BBS Articles
Frequently Asked Questions

YY Chromosome Survival


name Wayne
status other
grade other
location N/A

Question - Is there any possibility to birth a child with the
YY chromosome? What would it look like, and how would it act?
---------------------------------------
 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.

Vanhoeck
====================================================================

image 5
image 6
image 7
image 8
image 9
image 10
image 11

 

We provide a means to have questions answered that are not going to be easily found on the web or within common references.

 

Return to NEWTON's HOME PAGE

For assistance with NEWTON contact a System Operator, at Argonne's Division of Educational Programs

NEWTON BBS AND ASK A SCIENTIST Division of Educational Programs

Building DEP/223 9700 S. Cass Ave. Argonne, Illinois 60439-4845 USA

Last Update: January 2007