Revision NotesExam QuestionsPast Papers
GCSEBiology: Combined ScienceEdexcelRevision Notes3. Genetics3.2 Inheritance3.2.3 Inheritance of Sex

Inheritance of Sex (Edexcel GCSE Biology: Combined Science)

Revision Note

Lára

Author

Lára

Last updated

Did this video help you?

Inheritance of Sex

  • 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

Sex chromosomes, IGCSE & GCSE Biology revision notes

Sperm 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

Inheritance of sex, IGCSE & GCSE Biology revision notes

Punnett square showing the inheritance of sex

You've read 0 of your 5 free revision notes this week

Sign up now. It’s free!

Join the 100,000+ Students that ❤️ Save My Exams

the (exam) results speak for themselves:

    Test yourself

    Did this page help you?

    Previous:3.2.2 Predicting Genetic InheritanceNext:3.2.4 Polygenic Inheritance
    Lára

    Author: Lára

    Expertise: Biology Lead

    Lára graduated from Oxford University in Biological Sciences and has now been a science tutor working in the UK for several years. Lára has a particular interest in the area of infectious disease and epidemiology, and enjoys creating original educational materials that develop confidence and facilitate learning.