The X in Sex: How the X Chromosome Controls Our Lives

“Everything should be made as simple as possible, but no more.” This book simply goes too far in the direction of the “simple.”

“Did I manage to slip in the word ‘gene’ unnoticed?” the author asks on page 18. Well, if you are the type that will be amazed to learn that there are these things called “genes” then this will be a fun book for you.

THere are so many anoying typos. For example, singular anticedent (a bioligist) and plural pronoun (them), p.52. “vice-like hold” (should be vise-like, p. 54). “A common misconception ‘abut” the …” (p. 65) and so on. A human baby is referred to as an “it” while an inantimate object such as a chromosome is referred to as a “he”.

Most of the book has nothing new, and is anoying to read. The one interesting thing is that, in our species, women have 2 X-chromosomes but men have only 1. So something must be done so that the the genes on the X-chromosome are expressed in the same degree/amount in both genders. In our species, females (and some males, who are YXX !) inactivate all but one of the X-chromosomes as a developing embryo. From that point on, all daughter cells have the same X-chromosome(s) inactivated. In Calico cats, the pigmentation is carried on the X-chromosome, so the pattern reflects the pattern of chromosome inactivation. This has interesting implications for other genes carried on the X-chromosome.

So, there are a few interesting tidbits in the back of the book, if one has the patience to get that far.

The author also makes statements of fact, then later “confesses” that they are not completely true, pointing out some exceptions. So, if you see some “fact” in this book, before you go quoting it, better read the rest of the book carefully, in case the author was only “kidding” about that fact.
Rating: 1 / 5

How do we become male or female? The X in Sex: How the X Chromosome Controls Our Lives, by David Bainbridge writes a compelling and enjoyable book that explains the X and Y Chromosomes having a profound impact on our lives, determining what sex we will be and also influencing how we live. Bainbridge takes readers into a neat over view of the X chromosome, mentioning its importance in the genetic makeup of the person. He makes an argument that the Y chromosome plays a more significant role in mediating subsequent sex differences. He uses exquisite analogies, and wit to provide the readers with some entertainment.

How the Chromosome Control Our Lives takes you back to history of the X chromosome and its influence on differences between sexes. The book is easily understood and is broken up into three main chapters. The first chapter, Making a Difference, reveals that Sry, a gene on the Y chromosome causes XY embryo to develop as male. He uses catching analogies revealing his humor, such as `Think of sex as a restaurant, with sex chromosomes for customers. This may not be the kind of the of restaurant you want to eat in, but bear with me.’ He makes his point through a real life story connecting present day information with evidence and technology.

He then exceeds to his second Chapter, and explains why sex-linked conditions; Duchene Muscular Dystrophy, Hemophilia and colorblindness are more prevalent in males. This is because men only have one X, therefore they get one copy of each of its genes. He then goes on and tells us the effects, if one of these genes is damaged, significant changes can occur. The third chapter focuses on how the X dosage and X in activation influences female physiology, providing several images to help the reader understand somewhat complex information. Bainbridge makes great efforts to provide familiarities to all readers.

This book is highly recommended for all. It is very interesting and makes you want to further your reading on the same topic. David Bainbridge does an excellent job of describing how and why we live, in a very clear and somewhat challenging way.

Rating: 4 / 5

I love to read science books because they continually amaze me with the hidden worlds that they reveal. This book is no exception. Author Bainbridge has written a slim book of 181 pages, that tells us the marvels, eccentricities, and terrors hidden away in the X chromosome. It always amuses me when people extol the human body as the epitome of creation excellence. When you look deeply into our physical engineering, though, you usually start wondering if perhaps we were designed by a fractious committee.

It is the male Y chromosome, and specifically the “Sry” gene on that chromosome, that actively sets out to make any cell blob containing it to turn into a male. But the Y chromosome is really just a dried up fossil of a gene that serves no other purpose than determining sex. It is the X that has many functions.

The book answers many questions. Why are diseases such as Duchenne muscular dystrophy and hemophilia mostly limited to males? Why are male identical twins really identical, while female identical twins are not totally identical? Why are approximately 50% of female body cell X chromosomes different from the other 50% while in a male the cells are all alike? Why are women the main sufferers from autoimmune diseases? What happens when a woman is born with only one sex chromosome, a single X? Why is it that color blindness affects mostly men, and why is color blindness almost inevitably red-green, and almost never blue-yellow?

We also learn that many other mammals live and reproduce perfectly well with no Y chromosomes. Armadillos generally give birth to identical quadruplets. And on and on goes Mr. Bainbridge with the facts about the unusual X chromosome that is an astounding two inches long yet is able to intricately fold itself to fit into every tiny body cell.

This is a very accessible book that should educate and, indeed, entertain anyone who picks it up.
Rating: 5 / 5