The “Y” chromosome is what biologically separates male from female in our species. However, a new study has found that it is changing and it could have massive implications for our species.
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00:00The Y-chromosome is what biologically separates male from female in our species.
00:08However, experts say it's changing.
00:10Females have the double X chromosome,
00:12while males possess one X and one Y.
00:14While the Y carries far fewer genes than the X,
00:17it does cause the development of the testes,
00:19which then starts a cascade of hormones.
00:21However, experts say the Y-chromosome is degenerating,
00:24and in a few million years it might be gone completely.
00:28They have identified Y-chromosomal degradation in myriad species around the world,
00:32finding that every 1 million years, around 5 genes disappear from them.
00:36For those doing the math, that means in 11 million years,
00:39ours will likely go away entirely.
00:41So should the species be worried?
00:43Well, maybe.
00:44If the Y-chromosome were to disappear today,
00:46there would be no testes, meaning no men, resulting in zero babies.
00:50However, scientists have discovered that two species of rodents
00:53have already had this happen in their evolutionary timeline,
00:56and they have survived by developing a new sex chromosome,
00:59meaning in 11 million years,
01:01our species might be a whole lot different than it is today.