The sex of offspring is determined by the inheritance of sex chromosomes from the parents. All children inherit an X chromosome from their mother. If a child inherits an X chromosome from the father, they will be a girl, and if they inherit a Y chromosome, they will be a boy.
How does the inheritance pattern of X and Y chromosomes determine the sex of offspring?
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The inheritance pattern of X and Y chromosomes determines the sex of offspring in humans. During fertilization, when the egg (contributed by the mother) is fertilized by a sperm (contributed by the father), the combination of sex chromosomes inherited determines whether the offspring will be male or female.
If the sperm carries an X chromosome, and it fertilizes the egg’s X chromosome, the result is an XX combination. This combination leads to the development of a female offspring.
If the sperm carries a Y chromosome and fertilizes the egg’s X chromosome, the result is an XY combination. This combination leads to the development of a male offspring.
The presence of an X or Y chromosome from the father determines the biological sex of the offspring, with the mother always contributing an X chromosome. Therefore, the combination of sex chromosomes inherited during fertilization dictates whether the individual will be male (XY) or female (XX).