Question

In our society the women are often blamed for giving birth to daughters. Can you explain why this is not correct?

Answer 1

The chromosome pattern in the human female is XX and that in the male is XY. Therefore, all the gametes (ova) produced by the female have the sex chromosome X whereas in the male gametes (sperms) the sex chromosome could be either X or Y. Hence, 50 per cent of sperms carry the X chromosome while the other 50 per cent carry the Y. After fusion of the male and female gametes the zygote would carry either 'XX or 'XY depending on whether the sperm 'X or 'Y fertilized the ovum. The zygote carrying XX would develop into a female baby and XV would form a male. That is why, scientifically it is correct to say that the sex of the baby is determined by the father and not by the mother.