Sexual Differentiation

Sexual differentiation is the biological process that develops an individual's physical sex characteristics—from the reproductive organs to secondary features like body hair—based on genetic and hormonal signals. At conception, an embryo's sex is determined by chromosomes (XX for female, XY for male). During development, hormones like testosterone and estrogen guide the formation of sex-specific structures. This process involves complex gene and hormone interactions, ensuring that males and females develop distinct reproductive systems and physical traits appropriate for their sex.