Definition of Autosomal

Autosomal: Pertaining to a chromosome that is not a sex chromosome; relating to any one of the chromosomes save the sex chromosomes.

People normally have 22 pairs of autosomes (44 autosomes) in each cell together with two sex chromosomes (X and Y in the male and XX in the female).

Examples: An autosomal gene is a gene on an autosome. Most single genes describe an autosomal pattern of inheritance. Huntington disease is an autosomal dominant trait. Cystic fibrosis is an autosomal recessive trait.

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