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Cromosomas - Overview

Definición:

Son segmentos largos de ADN que se encuentran en el centro (núcleo) de las células. El ADN es el material que contiene los genes y es considerado el pilar fundamental del cuerpo humano.

Información:

Los cromosomas vienen en pares. Normalmente, cada célula en el cuerpo humano tiene 23 pares de cromosomas (46 cromosomas en total), de los cuales la mitad proviene de la madre y la otra mitad del padre.

Dos de los cromosomas, el X y el Y, determinan si uno nace como niño o como niña (sexo) y se denominan cromosomas sexuales.

  • Las mujeres tienen 2 cromosomas X.
  • Los hombres tienen un cromosoma X y uno Y.

La madre siempre le aporta un cromosoma X al hijo, mientras que el padre puede contribuir ya sea con un cromosoma X o con un cromosoma Y. Por lo tanto, es el cromosoma del padre el que determina el sexo del niño.

Los cromosomas restantes se denominan cromosomas autosómicos y se conocen como pares de cromosomas del 1 al 22.

Ver también:

  • Reviewed last on: 2/17/2011
  • David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
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