sex chromatin

noun

, Genetics.

1. Barr body.

Word History and Origins

Origin of sex chromatin¹

First recorded in 1950–55

Example Sentences

All human cells, says Dr. Murray L. Barr of the University of Western Ontario, contain something called sex chromatin.

From Time Magazine Archive

The cells were then examined for the presence of sex chromatin, a substance found only in female cells.

From Time Magazine Archive

Later research showed that the spots, now known as "Barr bodies" or sex chromatin, consisted of one X chromosome � the one that is inactivated after it has done its job of helping to determine femaleness.

From Time Magazine Archive