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X chromosome
noun
: a sex chromosome that usually occurs paired in each female cell and single in each male cell in species in which the male typically has two unlike sex chromosomes compare y chromosome
Examples of X chromosome in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
These new roles came to light from efforts to understand the process of X-inactivation, wherein one of the two X chromosomes carried by females is silenced, all 1,000 or so of its genes (in humans) being turned off.
—Philip Ball, Scientific American, 14 May 2024
The X chromosome contains approximately 900 genes with multiple functions, whereas the Y has approximately 55 genes with only 27 of them being male-specific.
—Devika Rao, theweek, 14 Mar. 2024
This is because almost all cases of Rett syndrome are caused by mutations found on an X chromosome gene called methyl CpG binding protein, or MECP2.
—William A. Haseltine, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2024
Xist molecules work with those proteins to shut down gene expression in the second X chromosome.
—Katie Hunt, CNN, 9 Feb. 2024
The inactivated X chromosome makes Xist, which establishes an X-inactivation center on that chromosome.
—Diana Gitig, Ars Technica, 6 Feb. 2024
To prevent the body from making too many of these proteins, one of the two X chromosomes in females is silenced in a process called X-chromosome inactivation.
—Will Sullivan, Smithsonian Magazine, 5 Feb. 2024
The research states that a type of RNA produced by a woman’s X chromosomes creates proteins that could make the immune system attack itself if genetic predisposition or other factors are present.
—Emma Hinchliffe, Fortune, 2 Feb. 2024
Chang’s team decided to engineer male lab mice to artificially make Xist — without silencing their only X chromosome — and see what happened.
—TIME, 2 Feb. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'X chromosome.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1911, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near X chromosome
Cite this Entry
“X chromosome.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/X%20chromosome. Accessed 4 Jul. 2024.
Kids Definition
X chromosome
noun
: a sex chromosome that is associated with femaleness and usually occurs paired in each female cell and single in each male cell in organisms (as human beings) in which the male normally has two unlike sex chromosomes compare y chromosome
Medical Definition
X chromosome
noun
: a sex chromosome that usually occurs paired in each female cell and single in each male cell in species in which the male typically has two unlike sex chromosomes compare y chromosome
More from Merriam-Webster on X chromosome
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about X chromosome
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