How is Gender Determined by DNA Chromosomes?

Discover how DNA determines gender through sex chromosomes and the roles of X and Y chromosomes during reproduction.

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Gender is determined by specific chromosomes in DNA. Males carry an XY pair of sex chromosomes, whereas females carry an XX pair. During reproduction, the mother provides an X chromosome, while the father provides either an X or a Y chromosome. If the father's contribution is a Y chromosome, the child will be male (XY); if it's an X chromosome, the child will be female (XX).

FAQs & Answers

  1. What role do chromosomes play in determining gender? Chromosomes, specifically the XX and XY pairs, define biological gender in humans, with XY signaling male and XX indicating female.
  2. Can gender be influenced by factors other than DNA? While DNA primarily determines biological gender, environmental and hormonal factors can influence gender identity.
  3. What do X and Y chromosomes represent? X and Y chromosomes are the sex chromosomes that determine an individual's gender; females have two Xs while males have one X and one Y.
  4. How does reproduction affect gender determination? During reproduction, the mother's X chromosome combines with either the father's X or Y chromosome, determining the child's gender.