What Determines Baby's Sex: Understanding Chromosome Inheritance

Discover how a baby's sex is determined by chromosomes inherited from parents. Learn about X and Y chromosomes in this insightful Q&A.

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A baby's sex is determined by the chromosomes inherited from the parents. Humans have two sex chromosomes, X and Y. An egg from the mother always contributes an X chromosome, while a sperm from the father can contribute either an X or a Y chromosome. If an X chromosome from the sperm fertilizes the egg, the baby is female (XX). If a Y chromosome fertilizes the egg, the baby is male (XY).

FAQs & Answers

  1. What chromosomes determine a baby's sex? A baby's sex is determined by the combination of sex chromosomes inherited from the parents, specifically X and Y chromosomes.
  2. Can a baby be male with two X chromosomes? No, a baby is male only if it inherits an X chromosome from the mother and a Y chromosome from the father, resulting in XY.
  3. What role do sperm contribute in sex determination? The sperm contributes either an X or a Y chromosome to fertilize the egg; if Y fertilizes, the baby is male, if X, the baby is female.
  4. How does fertilization influence the baby's sex? Fertilization occurs when a sperm cell reaches an egg, with the chromosome carried by the sperm determining the baby’s sex.