11. How is sex determined in human beings?
Sex determination in human beings
In humans, out of 23 pairs of chromosomes, 22 pairs are the same in males and females called autosomes. However, a pair of the X chromosome is present in females and XY in males. During spermatogenesis, males produce two types of gametes (sperms), 50% carries Y chromosome and the remaining 50% contains the X chromosome. On the other hand, the female produces only one kind of gamete (ovum) having X chromosomes only. When sperm having a Y chromosome fertilises the ovum the sex of the baby is male and when sperm carrying the X chromosome fertilises the egg, the sex of the baby is female.