M-F Immune System Differences

by | Apr 20, 2020 | Medical

Dr Arlene TaylorThe news says that while more females catch this coronavirus than do males, a larger percentage of males die. What’s that about?

In a word, gender differences in immune system function. Do you remember studying about your genome and chromosomes in high school or college? If not, here is a bit of biology. If yes, it’s just a refresher. The average female has 23 pairs of chromosomes (for a total of 46) that she got from her biological parents. One of each pair coming from her mother and one of each pair coming from her father. You might say that 22 pairs are regular, and one pair are sex chromosomes. Since females have two “X” chromosomes, the child will always get an “X” from its mother. 

More tomorrow.

©Arlene R. Taylor, PhD

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