Question

(a) If a sperm with 'X' chromosome fertilizes with an ovum with 'X' chromosome, what will be the gender of the baby?
(b) Who determines the sex/gender of the baby, mother or father?
(c) Is it correct to blame the mother for giving birth to a baby girl?
(d) Are all our characters resembles our parents?

Answer 1

(a) If the sperm cell contains an X chromosome which is used to fertilise the ovum with X chromosome, the gender of the child will be female. The female has two X chromosomes as their genotype.

(b) The father is responsible for the sex of the child. The mother has two X chromosomes and donates the X chromosome. The father has X and Y chromosome. The male gamete which fuses with the egg is responsible for the sex of the baby.

(c) The father is responsible for the sex of the child. So, it is incorrect to blame the mother for the sex of the child. There is no mistake of the mother if the baby which is born is a girl.

(d) We get the characters from the parents. However, there is genetic recombination during the process of gamete formation. This might result in the introduction of variations. There are certain traits like brown eye colour which we possess are not shown by our parents but may be shown by our grandparents.