In humans, the X and Y chromosomes are sex chromosomes of an individual. The presence of a Y chromosomes often indicates the individual is biologically male (although there can be some variation in this expression). It is key to note the difference between gender and sex. Gender is a socially constructed concept about how an individual should be expressing their identiy. Sex is a biological determination and in no way determines the gender of the individual. Between the X and Y chromosomes, there are regions known as pseudoausomal regions. These regions have contain homolgy between the X and the Y chromosome which allow for their pairing during mitosis and meosis and have gotten shorter as time passed. In the Y chromosom, there are male specic regions (MSY) which is a nonrecombining region. The sex determining region (SRY) of the Y chromosome controlas main development. At about 68 weeks in utero, the testes determinign factor is activated on the Y chromosome and testes form in the individual. The Y chromosome has been largely conserved throughout the evolution of humans therefore it is often used in haplotype studies. It is found that 10% of the population have gotten their Y chromosome from Ghenghis Khan.
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