Role of Chromosomes

Cards (1)

  • How do chromosomes affect sex and gender?

    • Chromosomes are made from DNA
    • Genes - sections of DNA that determine characteristics of living things
    • 23rd pair of chromosomes determine biological sex
    • Males = XY Females= XX
    • A baby's sex is determined by the sperm that fertilises it as it brings an X or Y chromosomes to the eggs' X chromosome
    • Y chromosome carries a 'sex determining region' (SRY)
    • SRY causes development of testes in XY embryos which produce androgens (male sex hormones)
    • Presence of androgens = male. No androgens present = females