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
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The scientists knew that females usually have just one copy of the mutation and in that case have tortoiseshell (partially orange) coloring, although in rare cases, a female cat will be orange if both X chromosomes have the mutation.
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ArsTechnica, 31 May 2025
Male cats with an orange X chromosome will be orange, whereas females need to inherit this trait on both of their chromosomes to be completely orange.
—Jia H. Jung, Mercury News, 28 May 2025
Hiroyuki Sasaki/Kyushu University Without getting too deep into the genetics, the X chromosome holds the code for black or orange pigmentation (white is driven by another mechanism).
—New Atlas, 24 May 2025
As with other mammals, female cats have two X chromosomes, while males have one X and one Y.
—Amanda Schupak, CNN Money, 23 May 2025
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ArsTechnica, 31 May 2025
Male cats with an orange X chromosome will be orange, whereas females need to inherit this trait on both of their chromosomes to be completely orange.
—Jia H. Jung, Mercury News, 28 May 2025
Hiroyuki Sasaki/Kyushu University Without getting too deep into the genetics, the X chromosome holds the code for black or orange pigmentation (white is driven by another mechanism).
—New Atlas, 24 May 2025
As with other mammals, female cats have two X chromosomes, while males have one X and one Y.
—Amanda Schupak, CNN Money, 23 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for X chromosome
Cite this Entry
“X chromosome.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/X%20chromosome. Accessed 6 Jun. 2025.
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