Question 13 of 15intermediate🔧 ApplyLong Answer5 marks

In our society the women are often blamed for giving birth to daughters. Can you explain why this is not correct?

Correct Answer

It is scientifically incorrect to blame women for giving birth to daughters because the sex of the baby is determined by the father and not by the mother.

During fertilisation, the sperm fertilises the ovum leading to the formation of a diploid zygote. The mother's ovum always contributes an X chromosome. However, the father's sperm can carry either an X or Y chromosome.

If the sperm carrying X chromosome fertilises the ovum, the zygote will have XX chromosomes, which develops into a female baby. On the other hand, if the sperm carrying Y chromosome fertilises the ovum, the zygote will have XY chromosomes, which develops into a male.

Thus, it is the presence of X or Y chromosome in the sperm that determines the sex of the embryo. Since the sperm comes from the father, the sex determination depends entirely on which type of sperm fertilises the egg.

Therefore, blaming women for the birth of a daughter is unscientific and wrong. The chromosomal contribution from the father's sperm is the deciding factor for the sex of the child.

Exercise: EXERCISES | Q: 19 | (Page 40)
For More Understanding

Explanation

This answer is based on the textbook explanation of sex determination in humans. The context clearly states that 'the presence of X or Y chromosome in the sperm determines the sex of the embryo' and explicitly concludes that 'scientifically it is correct to say that the sex of the baby is determined by the father and not by the mother.' The answer explains the chromosomal basis (XX for female, XY for male) and emphasizes that since the mother always contributes an X chromosome, the sex is determined by whether the father's sperm carries X or Y chromosome.

Solution Steps

  1. Step 1: Explain the process of fertilisation - sperm fertilises ovum to form zygote

  2. Step 2: State that mother's ovum always contributes X chromosome

  3. Step 3: Explain that father's sperm can carry either X or Y chromosome

  4. Step 4: Conclude that XX zygote forms female, XY forms male

  5. Step 5: Establish that sex determination depends on father's sperm, not mother

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