Question

How does sex determination take place in human beings?

Answer 1

The sex determination is XY type in humans. There are 23 pairs of chromosomes found in humans. Out of these, 22 pairs are called autosomes which are the same in both males and females. The rest of one pair is called sex chromosomes. These vary in males and females. Males have one X chromosome and one Y chromosome(heterogametic). In contrast, females have two copies of the X chromosome(homogametic). All the haploid gamete produced by the female have X chromosome whereas, the gametes produced by the male have either X or Y chromosome. After fusion of the gametes, the formed zygote have either XX or XY chromosome, depending upon whether the X or Y chromosome fertilized the ovum. There is a fifty-fifty chance of this. On the basis of this fusion, the sex of the child is determined which depends on the father, not the mother.