Y-chromosome

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Y-chromosome One of the two kinds of sex-determining chromosome; the other is the X-chromosome. Many male organisms have one X- and one Y-chromosome in their diploid cell nuclei. Sperm cells contain either an X- or Y-chromosome, and since female ova (egg cells) always contain an X-chromosome, the resulting offspring is either XY (male) or XX (female). The Y-chromosome is smaller than the X- and contains fewer genes. See also genetics; heredity

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