What term is used for chromosomes that are not sex chromosomes?

Prepare for the HOSA Biomedical Laboratory Test. Use flashcards and multiple-choice questions with hints and explanations to ace your exam!

The term used for chromosomes that are not sex chromosomes is "autosome." Autosomes are the chromosomes that determine most of an organism's traits and characteristics and are present in pairs in diploid organisms, which include humans. In humans, there are 22 pairs of autosomes and 1 pair of sex chromosomes (the X and Y chromosomes).

Autosomes play a crucial role in inheritance, as they carry the majority of an individual's genetic information unrelated to sex determination. In contrast, sex chromosomes are specifically involved in determining the biological sex of an individual.

The other terms mentioned do not relate to the classification of chromosomes. "Heterosome" is another term for sex chromosomes but does not refer to non-sex chromosomes. "Chromatid" refers to one half of a duplicated chromosome, while "centromere" is the region of the chromosome where the two sister chromatids are joined. Thus, the focus on "autosome" highlights its role in genetics, making it the correct answer for identifying non-sex chromosomes.

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