Which type of chromosomes carry genes related to the determination of sex?

Sex chromosomes are unique in that they carry the genes responsible for the determination of an individual's sex. In humans, there are two types of sex chromosomes: X and Y. Typically, females have two X chromosomes (XX), while males have one X and one Y chromosome (XY). The presence or absence of the Y chromosome largely determines male characteristics due to specific genes located on it.

Autosomes are the other 22 pairs of chromosomes that do not determine sex but carry genes for various traits unrelated to sex. Somatic chromosomes is another term sometimes used interchangeably with autosomes, but it does not specify sex determination roles. Chromatids refer to the two identical halves of a duplicated chromosome and are not directly involved in sex determination.

Thus, the primary role of sex chromosomes is significant as they dictate the biological sex and associated sexual characteristics of an organism, making the selection of this option the most accurate.