Exemplar Problems

Question:

How is sex determined in human beings?

Answer:

In human beings, sex determination is based on the combination of sex chromosomes inherited from the parents. The typical sex chromosome complement for males is XY, and for females, it is XX. The father contributes either an X or a Y chromosome, while the mother always contributes an X chromosome. The fertilizing sperm determines the sex of the offspring:

If the sperm carries an X chromosome, the resulting zygote will have XX chromosomes, and the individual will be female (XX).

If the sperm carries a Y chromosome, the resulting zygote will have XY chromosomes, and the individual will be male (XY).