Do We All Start as Females in Embryonic Development?
Explore how human embryos initially develop female characteristics before the SRY gene influences sex differentiation.
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Yes, we all start as females in the early stages of embryonic development. Around the 8th week, the presence of the SRY gene on the Y chromosome will typically cause the development of male characteristics. Without this gene, the embryo continues to develop female characteristics. This is a normal part of human development.
FAQs & Answers
- At what stage do embryos differentiate into male or female? Embryos begin to differentiate into male or female around the 8th week of development, influenced by the SRY gene.
- What is the role of the SRY gene? The SRY gene on the Y chromosome triggers the development of male characteristics during embryonic development.
- Can all embryos start as males? No, all embryos initially develop female characteristics until the presence of the SRY gene initiates male development.
- How does sex differentiation occur in humans? Sex differentiation involves the expression of specific genes, notably the SRY gene, which determines whether an embryo develops male or female features.