Lyonization, also known as X-inactivation, is the process by which one of the two X chromosomes in females is randomly silenced to ensure dosage compensation between males and females. This mechanism prevents females from having a double dose of X-linked gene products compared to males, who have only one X chromosome.

Lyonization

X-inactivation is a process by which one of the two X chromosomes in females is randomly silenced to achieve dosage compensation between males and females. This ensures that females, like males, have one functional copy of the X chromosome in each somatic cell, preventing an overdose of X-linked gene expression.

X-inactivation

Dosage compensation is a genetic mechanism that balances the expression of sex-linked genes to ensure that individuals with different sex chromosome compositions have similar levels of gene products. It is crucial for organisms like mammals, where females have two X chromosomes and males have one, to prevent an imbalance in gene expression that could lead to developmental issues.

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