Question

How is the sex of a child determined in human beings?

Hint:

{XX → Female}
{XY → Male}
The sex of the child is determined by the {chromosome carried by the father's sperm}.

Answer 1

Concept: In human beings, the sex of an individual is determined by a pair of chromosomes called sex chromosomes. Humans have two types of sex chromosomes: X and Y.
Step 1:Sex Chromosomes in Parents

• Females have two X chromosomes \((XX)\).
• Males have one X and one Y chromosome \((XY)\).

Step 2:Formation of Gametes During reproduction:

• The female produces eggs that always carry the X chromosome.
• The male produces two types of sperms: one carrying the X chromosome and the other carrying the Y chromosome.

Step 3:Fertilization and Sex Determination

• If an X-bearing sperm fertilizes the egg, the combination becomes \((XX)\) and the child will be a female.
• If a Y-bearing sperm fertilizes the egg, the combination becomes \((XY)\) and the child will be a male.

Thus, the father's sperm determines the sex of the child.