What is the Y chromosome? Why is it disappearing in men?
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Y chromosome
The Y chromosome is one of the two sex chromosomes in humans and most other mammals.
Image credits: Freepik
Y chromosome
It's typically found in males, who have one X and one Y chromosome (XY), while females have two X chromosomes (XX).
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Y chromosome
The Y chromosome contains genes that determine male characteristics and fertility. Research suggests that the Y chromosome is shrinking and losing genes over time.
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Genetic decay
The Y chromosome has fewer genes than the X chromosome, making it more vulnerable to genetic mutations and deletions.
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Lack of recombination
Unlike the X chromosome, which can swap genes with its partner X chromosome in females, the Y chromosome doesn't have a matching partner to recombine with.
Image credits: Freepik
Evolutionary pressures
Some scientists believe that the Y chromosome's decline is an evolutionary response to the fact that males don't need a second X chromosome to survive.