Question

Write notes.
(a) Adam's apple.
(b) Secondary sexual characters.
(c) Sex determination in the unborn baby.

Answer 1

(a) Adam's apple: The protruding part of the throat formed due to the enlargement of larynx is called as Adam’s apple. This enlargement of larynx or voice box occurs during puberty. Voice becomes hoarse.

(b) Secondary sexual characters: Characters which usually appear during the phase of puberty are called as secondary sexual characters. These are the features that help in distinguishing the male and the female body from each other.

Characters seen in male: Hoarseness of voice, appearance of beard, broadness of chest, growth of hair in genital areas.

Characters seen in female: Start of menstrual cycle, growth of breast, growth of hair in the genital areas.

(c) Sex determination in an unborn baby: Sex of a unborn baby depends upon the pair of sex chromosomes that are present in the cells of the baby.

X and Y chromosomes are the sex chromosomes in humans. Ovum always contain X chromosome, male sperm may carry either X chromosome or Y chromosome. Male genetic make-up is 44 autosomes + XY chromosome and female genetic make-up is 44 autosomes + XX chromosomes.