ScienceAugust 21, 2026

autosomal

AW-tuh-soh-muhl

Definition

Relating to any chromosome that is not a sex chromosome; referring to the non-sex-determining genetic material in an organism.

Etymology

Derived from the Greek words 'autos' (self) and 'soma' (body), the term was coined in the early 20th century to distinguish these chromosomes from the specialized sex chromosomes.

In the news

The article uses the term to clarify that the female clones share the same non-sex genetic material as their male donor, highlighting the preservation of the original genome despite the chromosome modification.

Gene Editing Technique Produced Fertile Female Clones From Male Mice In "Strange And Fascinating" Experiment That Could Help Endangered Species

Read the full article ↗

IFLScience

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