Boy, Girl Or Other Trivia Quiz

Answer: If unwrapped, each DNA molecule is about 3 meters long

A human chromosome is made up of two molecules of DNA which are tightly packed into a chromatid. The strands wrap around a histone protein to form a double helix. If unwrapped each molecular strand would be about 10 meters long. Deoxriboynucleic acid (DNA) is essential for the repair and replication of the genetic material in all human cells.

Answer: 1

Normal humans have 23 pairs of chromosomes, which includes only one pair of sex {chromosomes;} namely, either XX (females) or XY (males). The X chromosome is essential for life in both males and females and there are no humans without at least one X chromosome.

However, extra X chromosomes, a single X chromosome or many other abnormal XY mosaics occur in intersexual (sexually ambiguous) individuals.

Answer: XY

The X chromosome is essential for life in both men and women. The X chromosome may also be the carrier for abnormal genes that result in sex-linked diseases The Y chromosome is dispensable, as is evident by the fact that women have the XX pair. Ancient Kings and Arabian Chieftains were known to dispose of their wife, if she did not bear a male offspring.

However, the man is the carrier of the Y chromosome, which when combined with an X chromosome from the woman, during fertilization of the ovum, produces a male offspring.

Answer: They are severely mentally retarded

Persons with an extra X chromosome (XXY) have a condition known as 'Klinefelter's Syndrome' or 'XXY males'. They have most of the non-genital, male external sex characteristics. However, they have small external genitalia, especially small testes. They have a lack of or sparse facial and body hair and occasionally have enlarged breasts. Most of these individuals appear normal to the general public, are able to acquire basic skills, obtain lower level employment positions and carry on reasonably normal lives, except for the inability to produce offspring.

Answer: They have male external sex characteristics

The complete or partial lack of one of the X chromosomes in a female causes a condition known as: 'Turner's Syndrome'. These individuals have basic female external sex characteristics. However, they do not have normal internal female organs. Their ovaries fail to develop, which results in low levels of blood estrogens. Since the growth of the long bones depends upon the sex hormones, these individuals are short in stature. Even when they reach adulthood in age, x-rays of the long bones reveal the characteristics of an adolescent. Medical treatment results in physical, mental and emotional improvements.

Answer: They have a normal sex drive

Individuals with an extra X and an extra Y chromosome have a variation of the 'Klinefelter's Syndrome', except they are sexually hyperactive and very aggressive. External genitalia are {small;} but, there may be enough functioning cells in the testes to produce viable sperm. They are very retarded, have a very low I.Q. and may require institutionalization.

Answer: They have male external sex characteristics

Patients who have AIS have normal functioning internal testes and produce normal testosterone during the embryonic period.. They have an XY (male) pair of sex chromosomes. However, their body cells lack the receptors for testosterone and they develop externally as females.

They have a vagina but no uterus. The testicles may remain in the abdomen or decend into the inguinal canals. Although, they have the male XY chromosome, they are born with most of the female external characteristics and they may live a relatively normal life, unaware of their ambiguous condition.

Answer: One in 2000

According to the Intersex Society of America, 1 in 2000 births involve intersexual (sexually ambiguous) individuals. Thus, these intersexual individuals may be as common in society as as patients with 'Down's Syndrome'. However, many of the intersexual (sexually ambiguous) individuals do not appear grossly abnormal in society, the abnormal sexuality usually does not threaten their day to day living and many of these patients can be treated and live relatively normal lives.

Answer: No

To fit the correct definition of a hermaphrodite a person must have the gonads of both sexes; namely, ovaries and testicles. Merely having some combination of both XX and XY sex chromosomes in the cells on karyotype testing of human blood, or having some testicular and some ovarian tisue, is not equivalent to having both male and female gonads.

While there is a case of a true hermaphrodite child being born after in vitro fertilization due to two embryos fusing into one in the womb, none have been born naturally.

Answer: Cystic Fibrosis

The Human Genome project and other projects in genetic engineering are proceeding at a very rapid rate. There is reasonable concern as to whether these advances are getting ahead of our ability to cope with the social, cultural and ethical considerations. Germ line genetic engineering has the potential for serious risks. To engineer a specific chromosome with the intent to remove a disease causing gene may also remove or alter the 'good' genes. Any attempt to cure hemophilia or prevent its transmittal to a future generation by germ line engineering of the X chromosome has the potential for removing the 'good' genes or other components of this chromosome that are vital for life.