Barr Body

The term Barr Body refers to an inactive X chromosome. When a zygote forms it will inherit both an X and Y chromosome for a male fetus and two X chromosomes for a female fetus. As females actually don’t need both of the X chromosomes that it inherits from the parents the body will deactivate one of those X chromosomes which will, under microscopic view, appear as a small crumpled mass. The term “super female” is used for females that have more than one Barr Body (due to having inherited more than 2 X chromosomes). Turner syndrome sufferers however have no Barr Bodies due to having inherited a single X chromosome.


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