Revision NotesExam QuestionsPast Papers
GCSEScienceEdexcelCombined ScienceBiologyRevision NotesGeneticsInheritanceInheritance of Sex

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

Lára Marie McIvor

Last updated

Edexcel Combined Science: BiologyEdexcel Biology

Did this video help you?

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

You've read 0 of your 5 free revision notes this week

Unlock more, it's free!

Join the 100,000+ Students that ❤️ Save My Exams

the (exam) results speak for themselves:

    Test yourself

    Did this page help you?

    Previous:Predicting Genetic InheritanceNext:Polygenic Inheritance
    Lára Marie McIvor

    Author: Lára Marie McIvor

    Expertise: Biology, Psychology & Sociology 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.