Which chromosome type is present in both sexes and carries genes for many traits?

Which chromosome type is present in both sexes and carries genes for many traits?

• A. Sex chromosome
• B. Autosomal chromosome
• C. Mitochondrial DNA
• D. Ribosomal RNA genes

Answer: (B)

Autosomal chromosomes are the ones present in both males and females and they carry genes for many traits. In humans, there are 22 pairs of these non-sex chromosomes, which together contain the vast majority of our genetic information—affecting a wide range of characteristics from eye color to enzyme function. Because autosomes are inherited from both parents, they appear in both sexes with roughly equal frequency and contribute extensively to inherited variation. Sex chromosomes, by contrast, primarily determine biological sex and carry relatively fewer non-sex-related genes. Mitochondrial DNA and ribosomal RNA genes are part of the genome but are not the main set of chromosomes that carry the bulk of heritable traits.

Autosomal chromosomes are the ones present in both males and females and they carry genes for many traits. In humans, there are 22 pairs of these non-sex chromosomes, which together contain the vast majority of our genetic information—affecting a wide range of characteristics from eye color to enzyme function. Because autosomes are inherited from both parents, they appear in both sexes with roughly equal frequency and contribute extensively to inherited variation. Sex chromosomes, by contrast, primarily determine biological sex and carry relatively fewer non-sex-related genes. Mitochondrial DNA and ribosomal RNA genes are part of the genome but are not the main set of chromosomes that carry the bulk of heritable traits.