AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -(embryologist). While there exist many old-wives tales and myths about this, the truth is that there is a 50% chance that a sperm cell will carry an X chromosome and a 50% chance that it will carry a Y chromosome. So, in short, the assignment of gender occurs 100% randomly.

Detailed explanation-2: -The sex of an infant is determined by the type of sex chromosome contributed by the male gamete. Since the ratio of male gametes containing X chromosome and those containing Y chromosome is 50:50, the statistical probability of male or a female infant is also 50 : 50.

Detailed explanation-3: -The chances of an offspring being male or female is 50:50 due to several factors. While the movement of sperm is always random, the number of sperm carrying X and Y chromosome respectively is almost equal. This means that both types of sperm have equal chances of fertilizing the egg.

Detailed explanation-4: -Longevity: since sperm containing the X chromosome are able to live longer in the female genital tract, if the egg is not in the fallopian tube at the time of intercourse, sperm with an X chromosome will be able to survive longer until the egg reaches the fallopian tube.

Detailed explanation-5: -For a boy, sperm with the Y chromosome should be deposited as close as possible to the egg because the Y chromosome has a short lifespan and it will not live longer than 24 hours, compared with the sperm with the Y chromosome which will live in a woman’s body for up to 72 hours.