sex determination

Sex determination is the biological process that decides whether an individual develops as male or female. In humans and many other species, this primarily depends on specific chromosomes inherited from the parents: typically, females have two X chromosomes (XX), while males have one X and one Y chromosome (XY). The presence of the Y chromosome triggers the development of male characteristics. During reproduction, the sex of the offspring is determined by whether the sperm carries an X or a Y chromosome. This genetic system guides the development of reproductive organs and secondary sexual features.