Why is the sex chromosomes of humans and most animals written as XY while for birds it is ZW
In: Biology
~~The X and Y chromosomes in humans are named for their shape. The X looksike an X, and the Y is missing a tail.~~
Edit: nope, im just misremembering. Chromosomes all look X shaped, the Y has a small tail. X is named for “wait where’s this one’s partner? Call this one X for unknown.” And then Y just seemed right.
Other sex chromosomes discovered have been named along similar one-letter conventions, just for ease and consistency, but I don’t think the W chromosome is a very good W shape.
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