Sex Determination (WJEC GCSE Biology)

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Sex Determination

  • Sex is determined by an entire chromosome pair (as opposed to most other characteristics that are just determined by one or a number of genes)
  • Females have the sex chromosomes XX
  • Males have the sex chromosomes XY
  • As only a father can pass on a Y chromosome, he is responsible for determining the sex of the child
  • He does this because:
    • He produces (ejaculates) around 250 million sperm cells during sexual intercourse
    • Of those, half (125 million sperm) will be carrying his X chromosome
      • If one of these sperm fertilises the egg, the fetus will be female
    • The other 125 million of his sperm will be carrying his Y chromosome
      • Which will result in a male foetus if one of these fertilises the egg

Inheritance of sex diagram

Sex chromosomesSperm cells determine the sex of offspring

 

  • The inheritance of sex can be shown using a genetic diagram (known as a Punnett square), with the X and Y chromosomes taking the place of the alleles usually written in the boxes

Punnet square sex determination diagram

Inheritance of sex Punnett squarePunnett square showing the inheritance of sex

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Ruth

Author: Ruth

Expertise: Biology

Ruth graduated from Sheffield University with a degree in Biology and went on to teach Science in London whilst also completing an MA in innovation in Education. She gained 10 years of teaching experience across the 3 key science disciplines and physical education. Ruth decided to set up a tutoring business to support students in her local area. Ruth has worked with several exam boards and loves to use her experience to produce educational materials which make the mark schemes accessible to all students.