Why is aneuploidy of the sex chromosomes less debilitating than aneuploidy of even the smallest autosomes?
Note: multiple responses are correct, please choose the best answer(s), incorrect answers will lose a percentage of the marks possible for this question.

Question

Why is aneuploidy of the sex chromosomes less debilitating than aneuploidy of even the smallest autosomes? 
 Note: multiple responses are correct, please choose the best answer(s),  incorrect answers will lose a percentage of the marks possible for this question.

Answer

Only one X chromosome is required at any given time.  Additional X chromosomes (as in females) are inactivated in most cells except for gametes

Answer

The Y chromosome carries a number of critical genes required for spermatogenesis and sex development, but very few other genes.  Therefore, having two copies of the Y chromosome has minimal impact on the balance of gene expression

Answer

Dosage compensation requires that all excess chromosomes (i.e. 2 or more) are activated at all times during the cell cycle

Answer

The Y chromosome carries a number of critical genes involved in spermatogenesis and sex development.  Therefore, having two copies of the Y chromosome results in the overproduction of sperm and increased fertility

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Why is aneuploidy of the sex chromosomes less debilitating than aneuploidy of ev...

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