Autosomes are those chromosomes which are not linked with sex. So autosomes are non-sex chromosomes. There are 23 pairs of chromosomes in human beings. Out of these 23 pairs, the first 22 pairs of chromosomes except 23rd pair are called autosomes.
The chromosomes which determine the sex of a person are called sex chromosomes. In human beings, 23rd pair of chromosomes is of sex chromosomes. This pair contains two types of chromosomes;
1. X chromosomes and
2. Y chromosomes
Test Your Understanding and Answer These Questions:
- What are autosomes and sex chromosomes?
- Write the names of two sex chromosomes found in human beings.