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A baby's sex is determined at the time of conception. When the baby is conceived, a chromosome from the sperm cell, either X or Y, fuses with the X chromosome in the egg cell, determining whether the baby will be female or male. Two X's means the baby will be a girl, and XY means it will be a boy.
But even though gender is determined at conception, the fetus doesn't develop its external sexual organs until the fourth month of pregnancy.
Let's go to seven weeks after conception. You can see from the front that the fetus appears to be sexually indifferent, looking neither like a male or a female.
Over the next five weeks, the fetus begins producing hormones that cause its sex organs to grow into either male or female organs. This process is called sexual differentiation.
We don't know what sex this fetus is yet, so we'll have to be hypothetical here.... Now, if the fetus is a male, it will produce hormones called androgens, which will cause his sexual organs to form like this...
On the other hand, a female fetus would not produce androgens; she would produce estrogens… so her sex organs would form like this...
Now let's take a look at something you may have missed. At seven weeks, the sex organs of a male and female look identical. Let's add some color to see what happens during sexual differentiation. Keep your eye on the genital tubercle.
See that? The genital tubercle formed the penis in the male, (pause) and the clitoris in the female.
The penis and clitoris are called sexual analogs (pause) because they originate from the same structure.
Reviewed ByReview Date: 09/16/2008
Dan Sacks MD, FACOG, Obstetrics & Gynecology in Private Practice, West Palm Beach, FL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
What else can I help you with?
The process by which males and females develop distinct reproductive anatomy is called?
sexual differentiation
How many disorders of sexual differentiation would you expect in 100000 births in the US?
Gi
What is a sexologist?
A health personage who studies all aspect of sex, including differentiation and dimorphism, and, particularly, sexual behaviour.
Does sexual reproduction requires less tissue differentiation than asexual reproduction?
In general, sexual reproduction requires more tissue differentiation than asexual reproduction because sexual reproduction involves the fusion of gametes from two parents to create a new organism with a unique combination of genetic material. This process typically involves more complex cell division and differentiation to generate specialized sex cells. Asexual reproduction, on the other hand, involves simpler processes such as binary fission or budding, which do not require the formation of specialized sex cells.
Do somatic cell or gametes divide by mitosis?
somatic cells divide by mitosis. gametes, and sexual cell differentiation take place through meiosis.
What is the name of the gene that is responsible for sexual differentiation in an embryo?
The gene responsible for sexual differentiation in embryos is called the SRY gene (Sex-determining Region Y). This gene is located on the Y chromosome and is crucial for the development of male characteristics in individuals.
Why do men have nipples?
Men have nipples because all embryos start out with the same basic body plan, which includes developing nipples before sexual differentiation occurs.
What is the purpose of men's nipples?
Men's nipples serve no functional purpose in terms of reproduction or breastfeeding. They are a result of embryonic development and are present in both males and females before sexual differentiation occurs.
How does sex differentiation occur in biological organisms?
Sex differentiation in biological organisms occurs through a combination of genetic and hormonal factors. The presence of specific sex chromosomes, such as XX for females and XY for males in humans, determines the individual's sex. Hormones, such as testosterone and estrogen, play a crucial role in the development of secondary sexual characteristics, such as reproductive organs and physical traits. During embryonic development, the expression of certain genes and the influence of hormones guide the differentiation of gonads into testes or ovaries, leading to the development of male or female characteristics.
What happens during the developmental process when the sex organs finally become apparent?
During the development process, the sex organs become apparent due to hormonal influences that trigger the differentiation of the gonads into either testes or ovaries. This leads to the development of external genitalia that correspond to the individual's chromosomal sex. Hormones continue to promote further sexual differentiation throughout fetal development.
What is the process of producing sperm called?
Sexual Intercourse, when the penis enters the vagina and ejaculates.
How did the two sexes emerge from one?
The emergence of two sexes likely occurred through a process called sexual differentiation, where genetic and developmental mechanisms led to the evolution of distinct male and female reproductive systems in organisms. This differentiation provided advantages for reproduction, genetic diversity, and adaptation to changing environments, ultimately promoting the survival and diversity of species.
