Sex determination system
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Sex determination system
The Sex determination system is a biological system that determines the development of sexual characteristics in an organism. This system is one of the fundamental aspects of life that divide organisms into male and female types.
Pronunciation
- IPA: /sɛks dɪˌtɜːrmɪˈneɪʃən ˈsɪstəm/
Etymology
The term "sex determination system" is derived from the Latin "sexus" meaning "sex", the Latin "determinare" meaning "to limit, set bounds", and the Latin "systēma" meaning "system".
Definition
The sex determination system is the mechanism by which an organism develops as a male or female. This system can be genetic, where the sex is determined by sex chromosomes, or environmental, where external factors such as temperature determine the sex.
Related Terms
- Sex chromosome: A type of chromosome in the genome that is involved in sex determination.
- Genetic sex-determination system: A system where the sex of an organism is determined by the chromosomes it inherits.
- Environmental sex determination: A system where the sex of an organism is determined by environmental factors.
- Hermaphrodite: An organism that has both male and female reproductive organs.
- Gonad: The organ that makes gametes. The male gonad is the testis and the female gonad is the ovary.
- Gamete: A mature sexual reproductive cell, as a sperm or egg, that unites with another cell to form a new organism.
See Also
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