Question

Write short notes on:
Sex Determination

Hint:

The father’s sperm determines the sex of the child, as it carries both X and Y chromosomes, while the mother always contributes an X chromosome.

Answer 1

Sex determination is the biological process by which an organism develops into a male or female based on genetic and chromosomal factors. In humans, sex is determined by the presence of sex chromosomes: XX for females and XY for males. The sperm from the father carries either an X or a Y chromosome, while the egg from the mother always carries an X chromosome. If the sperm contributes an X chromosome, the child will be female (XX), and if the sperm contributes a Y chromosome, the child will be male (XY). This is known as the chromosomal theory of sex determination.