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This diagram from the American Cancer Society shows examples of the translocation of chromosomes. Occasionally, a similar process can occur with the Y sex chromosome, which results in genetically atypical males.

they are assigned a particular sex. Most of the time, it’s a binary choice: a newborn is assumed to be either male or female. Biological sex exists at the cellular level. Usually the cells of biological males have pairs of X and Y chromosomes, while females have pairs of double X chromosomes. Because humans have 46 chromosomes in each cell, a genetically typical male can be described as 46,XY and a genetically typical female as 46,XX. Pretty simple, right? Not quite. First, while 46,XY and 46,XX are by far the most common way chromosomes are arranged, numerous

Teen Guides to Health & Wellness: Sexuality and Gender Identity

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