The gender of an organism is determined before the moment of fertilization, when female and male gametes join and the zygote is formed. Gametes are haploid cells that contain half of a genetic set. Male gametes are called spermatozoan, while female gametes are called ovum, or eggs. Eggs can only contain an X chromosome, while sperm can contain either an X or Y. Whether an X or Y chromosome is carried by the sperm is a crucial part of determining the gender of the child.
How is Gender Determined? - Biology
It's impossible to tell the sex of a human child for the first ten weeks. Up to this point, the baby has the potential to become a male or female. Fetuses have basic female genitalia for several weeks after fertilization. At 12 weeks, the chemical differentiation occurs. If the Y chromosome isn't present, and the child has an XX chromosome pair, the mullerian ducts change into more pronounced female genitalia, triggered by a boost of estrogen.
If the infant has an XY chromosome pair, increased testosterone levels trigger the formation of wulffian ducts. These ducts become the male genitals. The clitoris changes into a penis, and the labia turns into a scrotum. This occurs between 16 and 20 weeks into the pregnancy.
In most cases, the presence of the Y chromosome decides the gender of the child. Occasionally, a female with an XY combination or a male with an XX combination occurs. This is due to increased levels of estrogen or testosterone respectively. Sexual development occurs normally, yet some fertility issues can occur in adulthood.
How is Gender Determined? - Cultural
Gender is determined by a myriad of factors, and boils down to how gender is actually defined. Biologically, gender is defined by the presence of certain reproductive organs. More correctly, gender is defined by attitudes, behaviors and roles, defined by the society of the individual. Gender is mostly a cultural product, resulting form interaction between the person and their society. Following this line of thought, gender is and can be entirely determined by the individual.
Gender reassignment surgery is becoming increasingly accessible. This breakthrough can successfully change the genitalia to that of the opposite sex. Petitioning a court and requesting a gender change is a way to legally recognize a gender change. Transgender and transsexual people are increasingly accepted in today's culture.
How is Gender Determined? - Other Methods
Some species of birds, insects, and fish have a different way to determine sex. For these animals, the female gamete can contain either a Z or W chromosome. Male gametes only carry the Z chromosome, making ZW pairs female and ZZ pairs male.
Other insects like wasps and bees don't have sex chromosomes. The gender of these species is determined by fertilization. Fertilized eggs become females, while unfertilized eggs become males. This process of unfertilized reproduction is called parthenogenesis.
How is Gender Determined? - The Future
How gender is determined may be determined by parents in the future. New research indicates that the sex of the child may be highly influenced by the diet of the mother. It is thought that the foods eaten by the mother can affect the environment of the womb and fertilization. Calcium, potassium, and vitamins C, E, and B12 are all linked to producing male offspring.
How is Gender Determined? - Biology
It's impossible to tell the sex of a human child for the first ten weeks. Up to this point, the baby has the potential to become a male or female. Fetuses have basic female genitalia for several weeks after fertilization. At 12 weeks, the chemical differentiation occurs. If the Y chromosome isn't present, and the child has an XX chromosome pair, the mullerian ducts change into more pronounced female genitalia, triggered by a boost of estrogen.
If the infant has an XY chromosome pair, increased testosterone levels trigger the formation of wulffian ducts. These ducts become the male genitals. The clitoris changes into a penis, and the labia turns into a scrotum. This occurs between 16 and 20 weeks into the pregnancy.
In most cases, the presence of the Y chromosome decides the gender of the child. Occasionally, a female with an XY combination or a male with an XX combination occurs. This is due to increased levels of estrogen or testosterone respectively. Sexual development occurs normally, yet some fertility issues can occur in adulthood.
How is Gender Determined? - Cultural
Gender is determined by a myriad of factors, and boils down to how gender is actually defined. Biologically, gender is defined by the presence of certain reproductive organs. More correctly, gender is defined by attitudes, behaviors and roles, defined by the society of the individual. Gender is mostly a cultural product, resulting form interaction between the person and their society. Following this line of thought, gender is and can be entirely determined by the individual.
Gender reassignment surgery is becoming increasingly accessible. This breakthrough can successfully change the genitalia to that of the opposite sex. Petitioning a court and requesting a gender change is a way to legally recognize a gender change. Transgender and transsexual people are increasingly accepted in today's culture.
How is Gender Determined? - Other Methods
Some species of birds, insects, and fish have a different way to determine sex. For these animals, the female gamete can contain either a Z or W chromosome. Male gametes only carry the Z chromosome, making ZW pairs female and ZZ pairs male.
Other insects like wasps and bees don't have sex chromosomes. The gender of these species is determined by fertilization. Fertilized eggs become females, while unfertilized eggs become males. This process of unfertilized reproduction is called parthenogenesis.
How is Gender Determined? - The Future
How gender is determined may be determined by parents in the future. New research indicates that the sex of the child may be highly influenced by the diet of the mother. It is thought that the foods eaten by the mother can affect the environment of the womb and fertilization. Calcium, potassium, and vitamins C, E, and B12 are all linked to producing male offspring.
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