Chromosome Theory of Sex Determination

According to chromosome theory of sex determination, male and female individuals would differ in their chromosome constitution (Table 17.1). There may be two types of chromosomes present in such individuals : (i) autosomes and (ii) sex-chromosomes. In a diploid individual, there are 2n - 2 autosomes and two sex-chromosomes. While in one sex (generally female), two sex-chromosomes are homomorphic (XX), in the other sex (generally male) these are heteromorphic (XY). In birds, usually female is designated as ZW, being heterogametic and male is designated as ZZ being homogametic. Different symbols in birds are used to distinguish the female heterogametic in birds (ZW) from male heterogametic sex (XY) in Drosophila and man.


Non-disjunction of X chromosomes in a female Drosophila leading to the transfer of both X's to the daughter
Fig. 17.2. Non-disjunction of X chromosomes in a female Drosophila leading to the transfer of both X's to the daughter.
Role of sex-chromosomes in determination of sex became evident for the first time due to discovery of sex linked genes, whose inheritance did not follow the expected segregation patterns in both sexes, but instead followed a criss-cross type of inheritance. The experiments of C.B. Bridges on non-disjunction of X-chromosomes proved that a diploid set of autosomes with two X-chromosomes will always give rise to a female individual irrespective of whether the two X-chromosomes came from same parent or from different parents (Fig. 17.2). This example suggested that in Drosophila, Y-chromosome does not carry any sex determining factor. Presence of one or two X-chromosomes is more important than the presence or absence of Y-chromosome.
Non-disjunction of X chromosomes in a female Drosophila leading to the transfer of both X's to the daughter
Fig. 17.2. Non-disjunction of X chromosomes in a female Drosophila leading to the transfer of both X's to the daughter.