What Determines the Sex of an Organism?

  • Thread starter drcathyc
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In summary, the sex of an individual is determined by their genetic makeup, with females having two X chromosomes and males having one X and one Y chromosome. It is possible for someone to have a combination of male and female sex characteristics, known as intersex or disorders of sex development. A person's gender identity can differ from their biological sex, as it is determined by personal understanding and experience rather than biological factors. Methods for determining sex, such as ultrasound or DNA testing, are generally accurate but may have a margin of error. While a person's biological sex cannot be changed, their gender identity can be aligned with their physical appearance through gender confirmation surgery or hormone therapy.
  • #1
drcathyc
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I am a science fiction writer and got to thinking about how we determine if a being is male or female. Of course, I understand our biology of eggs and sperm, but just what makes a cell either an egg or sperm?
 
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  • #3
thanks so much. That's exactly what I was looking for.
 

1. How is the sex of an individual determined?

The sex of an individual is determined by their genetic makeup. Females have two X chromosomes (XX) while males have one X and one Y chromosome (XY).

2. Is it possible for someone to have a combination of male and female sex characteristics?

Yes, it is possible for someone to have a combination of male and female sex characteristics. This is known as intersex or disorders of sex development (DSD). It occurs when there is a discrepancy between a person's genetic sex and their physical sex characteristics.

3. Can a person's gender identity differ from their biological sex?

Yes, a person's gender identity can differ from their biological sex. Gender identity is a person's internal sense of being male, female, or another gender. It is not determined by biological factors, but rather by an individual's personal understanding and experience of their gender.

4. How accurate are methods for determining sex, such as ultrasound or DNA testing?

Methods for determining sex, such as ultrasound or DNA testing, are generally very accurate. However, there is always a margin of error and these methods may not always be able to detect intersex conditions or other variations in sex characteristics.

5. Can the sex of a person be changed?

While a person's biological sex cannot be changed, their gender identity can. Some individuals may undergo gender confirmation surgery or hormone therapy to align their physical appearance with their gender identity. However, this does not change their biological sex.

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