Autosomes and sex chromosomes are two fundamental types of chromosomes present in the cells of living organisms, each serving distinct roles in genetic inheritance and the development of an organism.

Autosomes are responsible for determining a variety of general traits within the body, such as eye color, hair color, and height. In humans, there are $22$ pairs of autosomes, which account for $44$ of the total $46$ chromosomes. Each pair consists of two chromosomes that share the same structure and carry identical genes—one inherited from each parent. These genes may exist in different forms called alleles, allowing offspring to exhibit a combination of traits derived from both parents.

In contrast, sex chromosomes are specifically involved in determining an individual’s sex. Humans possess one pair of sex chromosomes, contributing the remaining $2$ chromosomes to the total count of $46$. The two types of sex chromosomes are designated as X and Y. Females typically have two X chromosomes (XX), while males have one X and one Y chromosome (XY). Notably, the Y chromosome contains the SRY gene, which is crucial for initiating male development.

Unlike autosomes, sex chromosomes do not always form identical pairs; this is due to the differing sizes and genetic content of the X and Y chromosomes. The X chromosome is larger and harbors significantly more genes compared to the Y chromosome. This disparity leads to certain traits and genetic disorders being sex-linked, indicating that they are associated with genes located on the sex chromosomes.

In conclusion, while both autosomes and sex chromosomes are essential for genetic inheritance and the overall development of an organism, they have distinct and critical roles. Autosomes carry genes related to general body characteristics, whereas sex chromosomes determine an individual’s sex and are associated with specific sex-linked traits and disorders.