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Edexcel IGCSE Biology · Spec 3.26-3.27

Sex Determination

How the X and Y sex chromosomes determine whether offspring are male or female.

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Sex Determination

Spec 3.26-3.27

What you need to know

  • Know that sex is controlled by the sex chromosomes
  • Recall that females are X X and males are X Y
  • Use a genetic diagram to show the fifty-fifty ratio

Active recall

Quick check

Answer each question before opening the answer.

What are the sex chromosomes of a human male and female?

Male: XY. Female: XX.

What is the probability that a baby is a boy?

50% (1 in 2).

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