How is the sex of baby determined?

Last updated at Dec. 16, 2024 by Teachoo

What are chromosomes?

Sperms and Ovas are sex cells.

We know that every cell contains nucleus.

Nucleus of cell contains thread like structures called chromosomes

These chromosomes carry genes and help in transfer of characters from parents to children

We know that when Male sperm meets female ova, fertilized cell is produced

This cell has 23 pairs of chromosomes in its nuclei

Out of these chromosomes, two chromosomes X and Y are called sex chromosomes

They help to determine whether new born child will be a boy or girl

Sex of an unborn baby is determined when the egg cells of the women gets fertilized by the sperm cells of man and pregnancy takes place.

Sex chromosomes are present in the nuclei of each cell

Male sperm has 2 chromosomes X and Y

Female egg has 2 chromosomes X and X

When both fertilize,

X Chromosome of Male + X Chromosome of Female → XX Chromosome of Zygote ( Female )

Y Chromosome of Male + X Chromosome of Female → XY Chromosome of Zygote ( Male )

So sex of child is dependent upon father not mother (as father has both X and Y chromosome, but mother only has X chromosome)

NCERT Question 8 (c) - Sex determination in the unborn baby.