A sperm cell with a Y chromosome will create a boy child.
Understanding Sex Chromosomes
Human sex is determined by two chromosomes: X and Y. Females have two X chromosomes (XX), while males have one X and one Y chromosome (XY). These chromosomes are inherited from the parents.
How Sex is Determined
The egg cell from the mother always carries an X chromosome. A sperm cell from the father carries either an X or a Y chromosome. Therefore, the father's sperm determines the sex of the baby.
| Egg Cell Chromosome | Sperm Cell Chromosome | Resulting Baby Sex |
|---|---|---|
| X | X | Female (XX) |
| X | Y | Male (XY) |
Key Takeaways
- Every egg cell contains an X chromosome.
- Sperm cells can contain either an X or a Y chromosome.
- The sperm's chromosome that fertilizes the egg determines the sex of the offspring.
- A Y chromosome from the sperm leads to a male child.
- An X chromosome from the sperm leads to a female child.
Based on the provided reference, "Every egg has an X sex chromosome; a sperm can have either an X or a Y sex chromosome. If the sperm that fertilizes an egg has an X chromosome, the baby is female; if it has a Y chromosome, the baby will be a boy." the sperm carrying the Y chromosome determines the baby will be a boy.
