GCSEScienceEdexcelCombined ScienceBiologyRevision NotesGeneticsInheritanceInheritance of Sex

Inheritance of Sex (Edexcel GCSE Combined Science): Revision Note

Exam code: 1SC0

Lára Marie McIvor

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Edexcel Combined Science: BiologyEdexcel Biology

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Inheritance of Sex

  • Sex is determined by an entire chromosome pair (as opposed to most other characteristics that are just determined by one or a number of genes)

  • Females have the sex chromosomes XX

  • Males have the sex chromosomes XY

  • As only a father can pass on a Y chromosome, he is responsible for determining the sex of the child

Sex chromosomes, IGCSE & GCSE Biology revision notes

Sperm cells determine the sex of offspring

  • The inheritance of sex can be shown using a genetic diagram (known as a Punnett square), with the X and Y chromosomes taking the place of the alleles usually written in the boxes

Inheritance of sex, IGCSE & GCSE Biology revision notes

Punnett square showing the inheritance of sex

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Lára Marie McIvor

Author: Lára Marie McIvor

Expertise: Biology, Psychology & Sociology Subject Lead

Lára graduated from Oxford University in Biological Sciences and has now been a science tutor working in the UK for several years. Lára has a particular interest in the area of infectious disease and epidemiology, and enjoys creating original educational materials that develop confidence and facilitate learning.

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