What are the remaining 44 human chromosomes called?

What are the remaining 44 human chromosomes called?

• A. Sex-linked gene
• B. Autosome
• C. Genome
• D. Karyotype

Answer: (B)

The key idea is the difference between autosomes and sex chromosomes. In humans, somatic cells have 46 chromosomes organized as 23 pairs. Two are sex chromosomes (XX or XY) that determine whether an individual is typically female or male. The other 44 chromosomes are autosomes—the non-sex chromosomes that carry the rest of the genes. So, the remaining 44 chromosomes are called autosomes. The other terms don’t fit here: sex-linked gene refers to genes located on sex chromosomes, not a chromosome group; genome means the entire genetic material, not just a subset of chromosomes; a karyotype is the chart or image of all chromosomes used for analysis, not the name of the chromosome type.

The key idea is the difference between autosomes and sex chromosomes. In humans, somatic cells have 46 chromosomes organized as 23 pairs. Two are sex chromosomes (XX or XY) that determine whether an individual is typically female or male. The other 44 chromosomes are autosomes—the non-sex chromosomes that carry the rest of the genes. So, the remaining 44 chromosomes are called autosomes.

The other terms don’t fit here: sex-linked gene refers to genes located on sex chromosomes, not a chromosome group; genome means the entire genetic material, not just a subset of chromosomes; a karyotype is the chart or image of all chromosomes used for analysis, not the name of the chromosome type.