Question 81 markMCQSection A

Consider the following statements : (i) The sex of a child is determined by what it inherits from the mother. (ii) The sex of a child is determined by what it inherits from the father. (iii) The probability of having a male child is more than that of a female child. (iv) The sex of a child is determined at the time of fertilisation when male and female gametes fuse to form a zygote. The correct statements are :

Heredity
Sex Determination

Options

(a)(i) and (iii)
(b)(ii) and (iv)
(c)(iii) and (iv)
(d)(i), (iii) and (iv)

Official answer

The correct option is (b). Statements (ii) and (iv) are correct.

Answer keywords:FatherFertilisationZygoteX chromosomeY chromosomeGametes

Marking scheme

  1. 1.Correct identification of paternal inheritance (0.5 marks)
  2. 2.Correct identification of timing (fertilisation) (0.5 marks)

Hint

Think about which parent has different types of sex chromosomes (XX and YY).

Quick oral answer

The sex of a child is determined by the father because he provides either an X or a Y chromosome. If the sperm carries a Y chromosome, the child will be a boy; if it carries an X, the child will be a girl.

Common mistakes

  1. 1.Believing that the mother's genetic contribution determines the sex.
  2. 2.Thinking that environmental factors or probability favor one sex over the other in humans.

Analysis and explanation

In humans, sex determination is genetic.

  • Statement (i) is incorrect because mothers have two XX chromosomes (XXXX) and always contribute an XX chromosome to the child.
  • Statement (ii) is correct because fathers have one XX and one YY chromosome (XYXY). The sex of the child depends on whether the sperm carrying an XX or a YY chromosome fertilises the egg.
  • Statement (iii) is incorrect because there is a 50%50\% (1:1) probability of having either a male or a female child.
  • Statement (iv) is correct because the sex is determined at the moment of fertilisation when the sperm (male gamete) fuses with the ovum (female gamete) to form a zygote.

Interesting facts

In some animals like turtles, the sex of the offspring is determined by the temperature at which the eggs are incubated, not by genetics.

Question details

Q8 of 39 questions

Board
CBSE
Class
Class 10
Subject
Science
Year
2024
Section
Section A
Marks
1
Type
MCQ
Chapter
Heredity
Topic
Sex Determination
Bloom's level
Understanding
Syllabus topic
Sex Determination in Humans

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Frequently asked questions

How many marks does this question carry in CBSE Class 10 Science 2024?

This question carries 1 mark in the CBSE Class 10 Science 2024 examination.

Which chapter does this question come from in Science?

This question is from the chapter "Heredity" in the CBSE Class 10 Science syllabus.

What topic does this question cover in Science?

This question covers the topic "Sex Determination" from CBSE Class 10 Science.

What type of question is this in the CBSE Class 10 Science 2024 paper?

This is a MCQ question from Section A in the CBSE Class 10 Science 2024 paper.