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  I understand that in the case of reptiles, gender is determined by temperature. How does this work with respect to X and Y chromosomes? Does temperature change Xs to Ys and/or vice versa?
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 July 16, 2007
 ASK THE EXPERTS :  BIOLOGY
Browse Subjects:  
Is it possible for a tennis ball that is "heavy" with topspin--like those hit by Rafael Nadal--to increase its forward velocity after it hits the ground?

I understand that in the case of reptiles, gender is determined by temperature. How does this work with respect to X and Y chromosomes? Does temperature change Xs to Ys and/or vice versa?

To what degree is a person's body weight affected by the ambient temperature and humidity? Do we conserve or release water as the climate changes?

What is the latest theory of why humans lost their body hair? Why are we the only hairless primate?

How does catnip work its magic on cats?

Does the length of a baseball player's arm affect the distance of his throw? If so, how?

If T. rex fell, how did it get up, given its tiny arms and low center of gravity?

Why and how do body parts itch? Why does it feel good to scratch an itch?

Does sleeping after a meal lead to weight gain?

What is junk DNA, and what is it worth?

Why can't a person tickle himself?

What causes dizziness?

How do hairs like those on the chest or in the nose know to grow when you trim them?

When you lose weight, where does it go?

How much of human height is genetic and how much is due to nutrition?

Why do cats have an inner eyelid as well as outer ones?

How do researchers trace mitochondrial DNA over centuries?

How are seashells created? Or any other shell, such as a snail's or a turtle's?

Why is spider silk so strong?

What are the odds of a dead dinosaur becoming fossilized?


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