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Question

How many pairs of chromosomes are present in human beings? Out of these how many are sex chromosomes? How many types of sex chromosomes are found in human beings?

"The sex of a newborn child is a matter of chance and none of the parents may be considered responsible for it". Draw a flow chart showing determination of sex of a newborn to justify this statement.

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Solution

Twenty-three pairs of chromosomes are present in human beings. Out of these, one pair is of sex chromosomes.

Two types of sex chromosomes are found in human beings: X and Y. Males contain one X chromosome and one Y chromosome (XY), while females contain two copies of X chromosomes (XX).

The sperm has either X or Y chromosome, while the egg has only X chromosome. So, if the sperm carrying Y chromosome fuses with the egg, it results in the formation of a male child; and if the sperm carrying X chromosome fuses with the egg, it results in the formation of a female child.

Thus, there is an equal chance of fusion of either X or Y chromosome with the egg. Therefore, we can say that the sex of a newborn child is a matter of chance and none of the parents are responsible for it.

Sex determination in humans is shown below:


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