What determines the gender of a child?

Prepare for the PLTW Biomedical Science Test. Study with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each question comes with hints and explanations. Get ready for your exam!

Multiple Choice

What determines the gender of a child?

Explanation:
In humans, biological sex is set at fertilization by which chromosome the sperm contributes. The mother's egg always provides an X chromosome, while the father's sperm can carry either an X or a Y. If the sperm brings an X, the zygote becomes XX (typically female); if it brings a Y, it becomes XY (typically male). So the determining factor is the sperm's chromosome. Environmental factors or the mother's age do not determine sex at conception.

In humans, biological sex is set at fertilization by which chromosome the sperm contributes. The mother's egg always provides an X chromosome, while the father's sperm can carry either an X or a Y. If the sperm brings an X, the zygote becomes XX (typically female); if it brings a Y, it becomes XY (typically male). So the determining factor is the sperm's chromosome. Environmental factors or the mother's age do not determine sex at conception.

Subscribe

Get the latest from Examzify

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy