Michelle and Greg are having a baby and are hoping for a boy. What is responsible for determining the sex of the baby?

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BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

When considering what determines the sex of a baby, we need to look at the genetic contribution from the parents during fertilization.
Option 1: 'food Michelle ate' — The mother's diet does not determine the baby's sex. While nutrition affects development and health, it does not influence whether the baby is genetically male or female.
Option 2: 'Greg's sperm' — This is the key factor. Sperm from the father can carry either an X or a Y chromosome, while the mother's egg carries only an X chromosome. If a sperm carrying a Y chromosome fertilizes the egg (X), the embryo will be XY and typically develop as male. If a sperm carrying an X fertilizes the egg (X), the embryo will be XX and typically develop as female. Therefore, the father's sperm determines the sex outcome.
Option 3: 'Michelle's egg' — Michelle contributes an X chromosome via the egg, but the egg cannot carry a Y chromosome. The egg's contribution sets the baseline (X), but the decisive variable is whether the sperm provides X or Y.
Option 4: 'Michelle's sleeping position' — The position in which Michelle lies during conception has no scientifically supported effect on the sex of the baby. Sex determination occurs at fertilization, not from parental positioning.

Intro to Child Psychology CHILD PSYC Exam #1 - Due 10/1

Michelle and Greg are having a baby and are hoping for a boy. What is responsible for determining the sex of the baby?

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