What is the karyotype of a cat? - briefly
The karyotype of a domestic cat (Felis catus) consists of 38 chromosomes, with females having two X chromosomes and males having one X and one Y chromosome. This is a typical mammalian karyotype, reflecting the species' evolutionary history and genetic makeup.
What is the karyotype of a cat? - in detail
The karyotype of a domestic cat, scientifically known as Felis catus, consists of 38 chromosomes. This count includes 18 pairs of autosomal chromosomes and one pair of sex chromosomes. The autosomes are numbered from 1 to 18 based on their size and appearance, with the largest being designated as chromosome 1 and the smallest as chromosome 18. In female cats, the sex chromosomes are typically two X chromosomes (XX), while in male cats, there is one X and one Y chromosome (XY). This karyotypic structure is fundamental to understanding genetic traits, heredity, and potential health issues in felines.