• Question: What is an XYY chromosomal abnormality? Is this syndrome recessive or dominant? How does the research in USA prisons help these people?

    Asked by tpgovind to Chris, Kay, Kerstin, Lorna, Liv on 22 Mar 2010 in Categories: .
    • Photo: Kerstin Zechner

      Kerstin Zechner answered on 22 Mar 2010:

      XYY chromosomal abnormality is when a male “accidentally” inherits a second Y chromosome. This occurs during meiosis, when the sperm cells divide and one cell receives 2 rather than one Y chromosome. There are no physical abnormalities in people who have this. However, people have recognised that a large percentage of prisoners in the US have the XXY syndrome. It’s still not sure if there is a link between XXY syndrome and criminal behaviour.

    • Photo: Olivia Hibbitt

      Olivia Hibbitt answered on 24 Mar 2010:

      Hey tpgovind,

      XYY syndrome is an aneuploidy (abnormal number of chromosomes). It’s fairly symptomless, just some very minor effects on IQ. It’s not inherited so it’s not dominant or recessive, having an extra chromosome is a completely random event.
      The research you are talking about that showed a high number of males in maximum security prisons in the US are XYY has been widely criticised and to be honest I would take the whole thing with a pinch of salt!!!

    • Photo: Kay Penicud

      Kay Penicud answered on 24 Mar 2010:

      Is when you have two Y’s and one X. You are physiologically male, but tend to have more testosterone so be a little more aggressive! Its dominant in the sense one extra copy gives you the symptons (however mild they are)

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