inheritence

• two of your chromosomes determine your sex, they are the sex chromosomes and there are two types
• females have two X and males have one X and one Y
• a womans gametes all contain an X sex chromosome but male sperm cells contain either an X or a Y
• how is the sex of an offspring determined in humans?

  the male sperm cell.
• how do we use genetic diagrams, punnett squares and family pedigrees to show inheritance?

   used to show inheritance by analyzing the specific alleles that parents carry and calculating the probability of these alleles being passed on to their offspring. we can also predict the likelihood of certain traits or genetic conditions being inherited by their children.
• how are the probable outcomes of offspring phenotypes calculated, using information about alleles?

  you can use Punnett squares. This tool helps predict the possible genetic combinations that can result from a genetic cross between two individuals.
• explain how the sperm cell is responsible for the determination of sex in humans?

  When a sperm carrying an X chromosome fertilizes an egg, the resulting combination (XX) typically leads to the development of a female. On the other hand, when a sperm carrying a Y chromosome fertilizes an egg, the resulting combination (XY) usually leads to the development of a male. 
• why is it difficult to identify how most inherited characteristics are controlled?

  because traits are usually influenced by multiple genes interacting with each other and with environmental factors. This makes it hard to pinpoint the exact basis of certain traits.
• what is a mutation?

  when there is a mistake in copying dna during cell division
• how can mutations cause variation?

  a change in a gene creates a new allele which effects the phenotype