Which term describes the chromosomes that do not determine sex?

• A. Sex chromosome
• B. Variation
• C. Autosomal chromosome
• D. Mutation

Answer: (C)

Autosomal chromosomes are the non-sex chromosomes. They carry genes for many traits and are present in both males and females in the same number, unlike the sex chromosomes which determine sex (XX in many females, XY in many males). In humans, there are 22 pairs of autosomes, and the sex of an individual is determined by the sex chromosomes, not these autosomes. So the term describing chromosomes that do not determine sex is autosomal chromosomes. The other options don’t fit: a sex chromosome is specifically the chromosome that helps determine sex; variation refers to genetic diversity in general; mutation means a change in DNA and isn’t a category of chromosomes.