Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

The Ratio of X Chromosome to Autosomes02:45

The Ratio of X Chromosome to Autosomes

10.2K
In most organisms, sex is determined by the ratio of X and Y chromosomes. However, in some organisms, such as Drosophila and C.elegans, sex is determined by the ratio of the number of X chromosomes to the number of sets of autosomes. The Y chromosome in Drosophila is active but does not determine sex. It contains genes responsible for the production of sperms in adult flies.  
Normal male Drosophila has a ratio of one X chromosome to two sets of autosomes. In contrast, normal female...
10.2K
Dosage Compensation02:50

Dosage Compensation

8.0K
In animals, gender is determined by the number and type of sex chromosome. For example, human females have two X chromosomes, and males have one X and one Y chromosome, whereas C.elegans with one X chromosome is a male, and the one with two X chromosomes is a hermaphrodite.
In addition to sexual development, the X chromosome has genes involved in autosomal functions such as brain development and the immune system. Therefore, males and females with  distinct numbers of X chromosomes will...
8.0K
X and Y Chromosomes02:32

X and Y Chromosomes

32.6K
Among mammals, the gender of an organism is determined by the sex chromosomes. Humans have two sex chromosomes, X and Y. Every human diploid cell has 22 pairs of autosomes and one pair of sex chromosomes. A human female has two X chromosomes, while a male has one X chromosome and one Y chromosome.
The germline cells such as egg and sperm cells carry only half the number of chromosomes, i.e., 22 autosomes and one sex chromosome. All eggs have an X chromosome, while sperm cells can carry an X or...
32.6K
The Y Chromosome Determines Maleness02:19

The Y Chromosome Determines Maleness

9.0K
The Y chromosome is a sex chromosome found in several vertebrates and mammals, including humans. In addition to 22 pairs of autosomes, the human males have one X chromosome and one Y chromosome. In these organisms, the presence or absence of the Y chromosome determines the development of male traits.
Evolution
Around 300 million years ago, the two sex chromosomes diverged from two identical autosomal chromosomes. Over time, the Y chromosome has lost most of its genes, shrinking in size....
9.0K
Sex-linked Disorders01:43

Sex-linked Disorders

113.5K
Like autosomes, sex chromosomes contain a variety of genes necessary for normal body function. When a mutation in one of these genes results in biological deficits, the disorder is considered sex-linked.
113.5K
X-linked Traits01:19

X-linked Traits

60.1K
In most mammalian species, females have two X sex chromosomes and males have an X and Y. As a result, mutations on the X chromosome in females may be masked by the presence of a normal allele on the second X. In contrast, a mutation on the X chromosome in males more often causes observable biological defects, as there is no normal X to compensate. Trait variations arising from mutations on the X chromosome are called “X-linked”.
60.1K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Retracing the centre of origin and evolutionary history of nutmeg Myristica fragrans, an emblematic spice tree species.

Proceedings. Biological sciences·2026
Same author

Evolution of crop phenotypic spaces through domestication.

The New phytologist·2026
Same author

Genomic evidence of a complex supergene system linking dispersal to social polymorphism.

Current biology : CB·2025
Same author

An intricate evolutionary connection between meiotic drive and sex.

Current opinion in insect science·2025
Same author

Comparative transcriptomics reveal a novel tardigrade-specific DNA-binding protein induced in response to ionizing radiation.

eLife·2024
Same author

Targeted treatment of injured nestmates with antimicrobial compounds in an ant society.

Nature communications·2023

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 19, 2026

Author Spotlight: Whole-Mount Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization to Study Spermatogenesis in the Anopheles Mosquito
05:31

Author Spotlight: Whole-Mount Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization to Study Spermatogenesis in the Anopheles Mosquito

Published on: May 26, 2023

3.2K

Sex chromosome drive.

Quentin Helleu1, Pierre R Gérard1, Catherine Montchamp-Moreau1

  • 1Laboratoire Évolution Génomes et Spéciation, CNRS UPR9034, Gif-sur-Yvette, France and Université Paris-Sud, Orsay, France.

Cold Spring Harbor Perspectives in Biology
|December 20, 2014
PubMed
Summary

Sex chromosome drivers manipulate inheritance, creating biased offspring and fueling genetic conflict. Their prevalence may be underestimated due to detection challenges, impacting evolution.

Area of Science:

  • Genetics
  • Evolutionary Biology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Sex chromosome drivers are genetic elements that distort inheritance patterns, violating Mendel's laws.
  • These drivers lead to sex-biased progeny, initiating a genetic conflict with the broader genome.
  • While known examples exist, the full extent of sex chromosome drive is likely underestimated due to detection difficulties.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To summarize the phenomenon of sex chromosome drive.
  • To highlight the genetic conflict arising from biased inheritance.
  • To discuss the evolutionary implications and potential mechanisms of sex chromosome drive.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on sex chromosome drivers.
  • Analysis of known examples in Rodentia and Diptera.

More Related Videos

Assessing Differences in Sperm Competitive Ability in Drosophila
09:34

Assessing Differences in Sperm Competitive Ability in Drosophila

Published on: August 22, 2013

15.2K
Slide Preparation Method to Preserve Three-dimensional Chromatin Architecture of Testicular Germ Cells
07:34

Slide Preparation Method to Preserve Three-dimensional Chromatin Architecture of Testicular Germ Cells

Published on: January 10, 2014

7.9K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Apr 19, 2026

Author Spotlight: Whole-Mount Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization to Study Spermatogenesis in the Anopheles Mosquito
05:31

Author Spotlight: Whole-Mount Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization to Study Spermatogenesis in the Anopheles Mosquito

Published on: May 26, 2023

3.2K
Assessing Differences in Sperm Competitive Ability in Drosophila
09:34

Assessing Differences in Sperm Competitive Ability in Drosophila

Published on: August 22, 2013

15.2K
Slide Preparation Method to Preserve Three-dimensional Chromatin Architecture of Testicular Germ Cells
07:34

Slide Preparation Method to Preserve Three-dimensional Chromatin Architecture of Testicular Germ Cells

Published on: January 10, 2014

7.9K
  • Discussion of potential epigenetic mechanisms like chromatin regulation.

    • Main Results:

    • Sex chromosome drivers are overrepresented in meiotic products, causing biased progeny ratios.
    • The phenomenon is predominantly observed in two major animal clades: Rodentia (rodents) and Diptera (flies).
    • Epigenetic mechanisms, particularly chromatin regulation, are hypothesized to play a role in drive.

    Conclusions:

    • Sex chromosome drive significantly impacts evolutionary trajectories, influencing mating systems and speciation.
    • Further research is needed to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying drive.
    • The evolutionary consequences of sex chromosome drive are profound and widespread.