Question

Explain with an example, how sex of a baby can be determined with the help of chromosomes.

Answer 1

Chromosomes carry information in the form of genes and are responsible for determining the sex. Females have XX pair of sex chromosomes, while males have XY pair. Gametes have only one member of this pair. Ovum has the X chromosome, while sperm cell has either X or Y chromosomes. When the gametes fuses, these single members (X and X or X and Y) also unite to form a new pair of chromosomes, which determines the sex of the baby. E.g., The X chromosome from the ovum unites with the X chromosome of the sperm cell; the resulting zygote has XX pair of chromosome. This is determined as a female.