Which sex chromosome is associated with X-inactivation and forms a Barr body in female mammals?

Study for the IAC White Set Science Bee Test. Enhance your knowledge with quizzes and detailed explanations. Prepare effectively and excel on your test!

Multiple Choice

Which sex chromosome is associated with X-inactivation and forms a Barr body in female mammals?

Explanation:
In female mammals, one of the X chromosomes is silenced to balance gene expression with males who have only one X. The silenced X becomes highly condensed into heterochromatin and forms a Barr body at the edge of the nucleus. This inactivation is a classic example of dosage compensation and is driven by epigenetic marks that keep most genes on that chromosome from being expressed. So the chromosome involved in X-inactivation and forming a Barr body is the X chromosome. The Y chromosome isn’t inactivated to form Barr bodies, and chromosome 21 or mitochondrial DNA aren’t related to this process.

In female mammals, one of the X chromosomes is silenced to balance gene expression with males who have only one X. The silenced X becomes highly condensed into heterochromatin and forms a Barr body at the edge of the nucleus. This inactivation is a classic example of dosage compensation and is driven by epigenetic marks that keep most genes on that chromosome from being expressed. So the chromosome involved in X-inactivation and forming a Barr body is the X chromosome. The Y chromosome isn’t inactivated to form Barr bodies, and chromosome 21 or mitochondrial DNA aren’t related to this process.

Subscribe

Get the latest from Passetra

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy