What does the term 'autosomal' refer to in genetics?

The term 'autosomal' refers specifically to genes that are located on non-sex chromosomes, which are called autosomes. In humans, there are 22 pairs of autosomes and one pair of sex chromosomes, making a total of 23 pairs. The autosomes contain the majority of an individual's genetic material and are responsible for various inherited traits that are not related to biological sex.

This definition is key because it helps clarify the distinction between autosomal genes and those located on sex chromosomes (the X and Y chromosomes), which can have sex-linked patterns of inheritance. Understanding this concept is essential in genetics, as it underpins many principles of inheritance and can affect the expression of traits across generations. Autosomal traits can be expressed equally in both males and females, regardless of the sex chromosomes they carry.